EP3039945B1 - Device for supplying at least one consumer with electrical energy or for providing electric power for at least one consumer - Google Patents

Description

Introduction and state of the art

The invention relates to a device for supplying at least one consumer with electrical energy or for providing electrical power for at least one consumer.

For many applications, a regulated electrical power supply is necessary. In particular, in the regulation of the supply of LED lights in the vehicle are special requirements to be met.

The LEDs to be supplied are usually in series, rarely parallel connected and are typically powered by a power source. This regulated power source is powered by an energy source, typically the on-board network of a motor vehicle.

In this case, the problem arises that the regulation of the current source leads to a considerable loss of power within the current source circuit. This has the consequences that in the case of a monolithic integrated circuit (IC) integration additional IC areas are necessary in order not to exceed the critical temperature for the respective semiconductor. At the same time, special measures for cooling in the housing of the power source may be required.

In EP-A-2 645 818 , which is the publication of a European patent application whose filing date is prior to the priority date of this PCT application and whose publication took place after the priority date of this PCT patent application, a driver circuit for LED series circuits is described which is powered by an AC source ( AC voltage source) is supplied.

EP-A-2 416 623 discloses a device for supplying at least one consumer having a first terminal with electrical energy or for providing electrical energy for at least one first terminal having consumers, wherein the device is provided with a running as IC control circuit having an input, via the control circuit electrical energy can be supplied, and at least a first output and a second output, wherein via each of the two outputs a consumer via its first terminal of the control circuit with electrical energy is supplied or the control circuit provides electrical energy for a consumer available. In addition, the IC has an external resistor to deliver potential electrical power loss. The desired value of the electrical power of the load to be regulated by the control circuit can be predetermined, the distribution of the electrical energy to the load or the electrical power to be made available to it for the at least two outputs of the control circuit from the latter as a function of at least one distribution parameter is controllable, which can be supplied to the control circuit or which can be determined in the control circuit.

Other LED driver circuits partly with current control units are off EP-A-2 416 623 . WO-A-2009/035948 . US-A-2013/0049622 and JP-60 107372 known.

Object of the invention

It is the object of the invention to minimize the resulting from a regulation of the LED current through the power source supplying power loss for the power source itself, thereby significantly reducing the cost of IC area and the housing complexity.

This object is achieved by means of a device according to claim 1. Individual embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Description of the basic invention

The basic idea of the invention is not only to regulate the current, but also to determine the location at which the power loss is obtained by the regulation of the current, by a further control parameter specifying this location of the generation of the additional power loss.

The invention is based on the recognition that basically a transistor, which is the regulating transistor of a current source, can be considered in the broadest sense as an adjustable resistor. If this transistor has a mean resistance, then a maximum of power drops across the transistor.

It has been recognized in the invention that therefore an operating range can be defined in which this transistor can be replaced by another second transistor, which is followed by an external resistor. This second transistor then regulates the current, whereby a part of the control power dissipation does not drop in the second transistor itself, but in the external resistor. Thus, the integrated circuit heats up less, since the heating power is obtained outside of the housing in the said external resistance. If a current is required which requires a transistor resistance below the sum of the on-resistance of the second transistor and the external resistor, the first transistor takes over the control again.

This quite simple principle can be generalized insofar as the current within two current paths is regulated by two parameters in each case so that the sum of the currents in the two current filaments with a first Parameter correlated and the distribution of power loss is linked to a second additional parameter. This is the basic idea of the invention.

It is understood that the principle can also be applied to more than two current paths. In that case, two- as well as multi-dimensionally can be regulated between the current paths.

For the essential approach according to the invention, it should be mentioned that potential power loss, which can occur in the control circuit, is converted via an external resistor or other consumer in the form of heat, which is then released to the environment. Thus, the control circuit, which is designed as an IC, protected from thermal overloads. For this purpose, the control circuit supplies to the consumer via at least two paths the "energy" or power "retrieved" by the consumer from a voltage source, in particular a DC voltage source such as the electrical system of a motor vehicle. One of these two paths is as low as possible, so connected substantially lossless to the control circuit, namely via the above-mentioned first output of the control circuit, while the second power transmission path has the external resistor. By means of two regulator modules, these two power paths are now controlled accordingly, with the electric power being transported from the control circuit to the load exclusively via the first output up to a first limit value. In each regulator module, power loss is also generated in the form of heat to an extent that is of the magnitude of the electrical power to be provided to the consumer. Depending on the operating point of the at least one driver of a controller module, this generates more or less heat. If so the driver would be due to an increased power consumption of the consumer in an operating range in which he generates more power loss, which could affect the IC in the form of heat, according to the invention added the next regulator module for additional power output to the consumer.

The distribution of the available electrical power to the controller modules is dependent on the distribution parameters.

The inventive approach is thus contrary to the known in the prior art method in which to prevent overheating of driver transistors of the load or a load to be supplied power is distributed symmetrically or uniformly to multiple drivers, as for example in US Pat EP-A-2,196,887 is described.

The invention is particularly suitable for supplying at least one electrical / electronic, e.g. an electromechanical, electro-optical or electroacoustic consumer, in particular a luminous means such. an LED, or a consumer with an optionally parasitic, ohmic and / or inductive and / or capacitive load, as used in electrical / electronic articles / components in the automotive sector and / or daily life for e.g. Residential and / or industrial building, accessory, transport are encountered, with electrical energy. An example of an ohmic load is e.g. a car heater, with an inductive load it can be e.g. around a generator or motor, e.g. BLDC, stepping motor, single or polyphase motor, lifting magnet, while as an example of a capacitive load e.g. a supercap, e.g. can be called for storing electrical energy.

Brief Description

Fig. 1

beispielhafte Grundstruktur einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung 10 mit einer einzelnen LED-Kette 11 als Verbraucher,

Fig. 2

beispielhafte Grundstruktur einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung 10 mit einer einzelnen LED-Kette 11 als Verbraucher und einem ersten Widerstand R₃,

Fig. 3

beispielhafte Grundstruktur einer erfindungsgemäßen Regelschaltung 10 mit einer einzelnen LED-Kette 11 als Verbraucher und drei An-steuerkanälen und drei Stromquellen IS₃, IS₄, IS₈,

Fig. 4

beispielhafte Grundstruktur einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit drei LED-Ketten 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 als Verbraucher und drei erfindungsgemäßen Regelschaltungen 10_1, 10_2, 10_3 und einer Fehler-Detektion FD, einem Farbsensor MF und einem Farbregler (FR),

Fig. 5

zeigt die beispielhafte Veränderung der Leistungsumsetzung in der LED, der Regelschaltung 10 und im Widerstand R₄ mit Veränderung der Betriebsspannung U_b,

Fig. 6

zeigt die beispielhafte Veränderung der Leistungsumsetzung in der LED, der Regelschaltung 10 und im Widerstand R₄ mit Veränderung der Betriebsspannung U_b bei drei Stromquellen,

Fign. 7 und 8

Schaltungen alternativer Varianten der Vorrichtung mit lediglich drei Anschlüssen für die Energieversorgung der Regelschaltung und Energieabgabe durch die Regelschaltung an den Verbraucher bzw. vier Leistungsbereitstellungsmodulen,

Fign. 9 bis 12

verschiedene Beispiele für Schaltungen entsprechend den in den Fign. 1 bis 8 gezeigten, jedoch mit einer ohmschen Last 12 als Verbraucher,

Fign. 13 bis 16

verschiedene Beispiele für Schaltungen entsprechend den in den Fign. 1 bis 8 gezeigten, jedoch mit einer induktiven Last 13 als Verbraucher und mit einer Freilaufdiode 14 sowie mit einer Überspannungsschutzdiode 15, wobei beide der induktiven Last 13 zugeordnet sind, und

Fign. 17 bis 20

verschiedene Beispiele für Schaltungen entsprechend den in den Fign. 1 bis 8 gezeigten, jedoch mit einer kapazitiven Last als Verbraucher.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to several embodiments and with reference to the drawings. Show in detail attended:

Fig. 1

exemplary basic structure of a device 10 according to the invention with a single LED chain 11 as a consumer,

Fig. 2

exemplary basic structure of a device 10 according to the invention with a single LED chain 11 as a consumer and a first resistor R ₃ ,

Fig. 3

exemplary basic structure of a control circuit 10 according to the invention with a single LED chain 11 as consumer and three control channels and three current sources IS ₃ , IS ₄ , IS ₈ ,

Fig. 4

exemplary basic structure of a device according to the invention with three LED chains 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 as consumers and three control circuits 10_1, 10_2, 10_3 according to the invention and an error detection FD, a color sensor MF and a color controller (FR),

Fig. 5

shows the exemplary change in the power conversion in the LED, the control circuit 10 and in the resistor R ₄ with a change in the operating voltage U _b ,

Fig. 6

shows the exemplary change in the power conversion in the LED, the control circuit 10 and in the resistor R ₄ with a change in the operating voltage U _b at three power sources,

FIGS. 7 and 8

Circuits of alternative variants of the device with only three terminals for the power supply of the control circuit and energy output by the control circuit to the consumer or four power supply modules,

FIGS. 9 to 12

various examples of circuits according to those in the FIGS. 1 to 8 shown, but with a resistive load 12 as a consumer,

FIGS. 13 to 16

various examples of circuits according to those in the FIGS. 1 to 8 shown, but with an inductive load 13 as a consumer and with a freewheeling diode 14 and with an overvoltage protection diode 15, both of the inductive load 13 are assigned, and

FIGS. 17 to 20

various examples of circuits according to those in the FIGS. 1 to 8 shown, but with a capacitive load as a consumer.

Description of embodiments of the invention

The following figures represent only a few possible configurations of a device according to the invention. The possibilities according to the invention will become apparent from the foregoing description and the claims.

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary inventive control circuit 10. It has the two outputs 3, 4 and for each of these outputs 3, 4 an associated current source IS ₃ , IS ₄ , which is controlled by a regulator RG. The current of the first current source IS ₃ is passed directly into the first terminal 5 of the consumer 11, in this case an LED chain. The current of the second current source IS ₄ is passed through the resistor R ₄ and generates there a voltage drop. The output voltages U ₃ , U ₄ are detected by measuring devices MU ₃ , MU ₄ and fed to the controller RG as a measured value. Likewise, the currents I ₃ , I ₄ are detected by two further measuring devices MI ₃ , MI ₄ and also supplied to the controller RG as a measured value. The powers P ₃ , P ₄ are detected by power measuring devices MP ₃ , MP ₄ and supplied as a measured value to the controller RG.

Likewise, the operating voltage U _b is detected by a measuring device MU _b and fed as a measured value to the controller RG. Not all of these readings are required for a successful realization. Here only the potential is to be represented. A temperature measuring device measures the temperature T and provides it to the regulator RG. The regulator RG controls the current sources IS ₃ , IS ₄ with the aid of these measured values and, if appropriate, with the aid of externally obtained control specifications, in this case a desired value I _soll , as well as possibly stored and / or derived variables.

When switching to Fig. 2 is contrary to the circuit after Fig. 1 another resistor R _{3 is} provided.

The circuit after Fig. 3 in contrast to that according to Fig. 1 a further output 8, which is also connected to the first terminal 5 via an external resistor R ₈ . The associated measuring devices MU ₈ , MI ₈ , MP _{8 also} supply the respective measured values P ₈ , U ₈ , I ₈ to the controller RG which controls the current sources as a whole. Typically, resistor R ₈ is chosen to be twice the value of resistor R ₄ .

Fig. 4 shows an exemplary control circuit for a RGB LED lighting. The control circuits 10_1, 10_2, 10_3 according to the invention each control an LED chain 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 of a color. The second terminals 4_1, 4_2, 4_3 are each connected via an external resistor R _{4_1} , R _{4_2} , R _{4_3} to the first terminal 5_1, 5_2, 5_3 of the respective LED chain 11_1, 11_2, 11_3. The respective first terminals 3_1, 3_2, 3_3 are connected directly to these. The second terminals 6_1, 6_2, 6_3 of the LED chains 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 are connected to the ground terminal 2 of the device 10. A reference generator RefG makes it possible to set the setpoint values (eg I _soll ) of the individual subdevices 10_1, 10_2, 10_3 externally by means of the currents I _{ref_ext_1} , I _{ref_ext_2} , I _{ref_ext_3} . These currents can be set via the resistors R _{ref_1} , R _{ref_2} , R _{ref_3} at voltage specification instead of current specification. A controller CTR controls the entire device. This can be done via a data interface ST be addressed. The exemplary device has a power supply SUP which processes the unregulated operating voltage U _b for use in the control circuit 10. A color controller FR receives from a color sensor MF information about the color composition and the intensity of the radiated light. This information is converted by the color exciter FR into setpoint specifications for the subdevices 10_1, 10_2, 10_3. As a result, a color composition and illumination intensity is set that meets a specification. Of course, it is also possible to measure the reflected light and adjust the lighting depending on it. In this case, for example, the setpoint specifications of different setpoint sources, which have been described above, can be combined with each other, for example, by multiplication in a suitable device, typically the controller RG, to a common setpoint input I _sum for the respective summation current I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ , + I ₈ and / or the distribution parameter V _{p are} combined. An error detection compares the measured values of the measuring instruments of the sub-apparatuses 10_1, 10_2, 10_3 with target prescriptions and / or desired-specification ranges. You can also use past and derived values. If the error detector FD detects an error condition, this is output via an error signal S _stat . Of course, an output via the data interface ST is also possible. An internal reference intRef is used to set basic internal parameters.

Fig. 5 shows the distribution of power consumption in different operating voltage ranges for a device similar to the Fig. 1 , In a start-up area A, the LEDs are not yet fully conductive and limit the total current I ₃ + I ₄ . In this area, typically only the first output 3 supplies the current for the operation of the load 11 (here the LEDs). In a second operating voltage range B, the current is gradually taken over by the second current branch at the second terminal 4 with the second external resistor R ₄ . The power P _R4 , which is thereby converted in the resistor R ₄ , increases parabolically. The power P _LED , which is converted in the LEDs, remains largely constant. From a certain operating voltage point the second output 4 can no longer deliver sufficient voltage. Therefore, the total current I ₃ + I ₄ would rise again through the LEDs and thus P _LED . Therefore, the additional power loss is now implemented in the control circuit in a third operating voltage range C. The loss line P _{10 of} the control circuit now increases continuously. The power consumption P _{LED of} the LEDs remains constant. The power consumption P _R4 , the second external resistance R ₄ remains constant. In a fourth operating voltage range D, the control can no longer be maintained and the system goes into emergency mode.

Fig. 6 shows the control characteristic of a preferred embodiment of the invention for the power supply of LEDs. This control characteristic is designed so that it has a plurality of operating voltage ranges as a function of the operating voltage U _b . For the following explanations, it is assumed for simplification that the first resistor R _{3 has} the value zero ohms. If there are several branches, then a resistor should have the value zero. In a first operating voltage range A, the light emitting diodes (LEDs) do not yet switch on. Therefore, in this operating voltage range, the current through the LEDs and thus the output power increases as a function of the operating voltage U _b . In this operating voltage range, the setpoint current I _sum is not yet output to the LEDs by the control circuit, since the total current I ₃ + I _{4 is} not limited by the control circuit 10 but by the LEDs, ie the load 11. During the transition from the operating voltage range A into a second operating voltage range B, the first output 3 supplies the entire current. The first output 3 is connected directly to the load 11 in this example. The output current I _{4 of} the second output 4, which is connected to the load 11 via the second external resistor R ₄ , is still 0 A at this operating voltage point. Therefore, the first output 3 must supply the total sum current I ₃ + I ₄ , because a voltage drop across the second external resistor R ₄ at the second output 4 is not desired. With the transition to the operating voltage range B, the regulator of the current source at the first output 3, in order not to supply more power, would be connected in parallel with the current source Internal conductance, must lower. This would lead to an increasing power loss in this controller. Therefore, the second output will gradually take over part of the total current I ₃ + I ₄ . This happens, for example, in such a way that the first output voltage U ₃ at the first output 3 of the control circuit 10 and thus the voltage which drops across the LEDs and thus the load 11, is kept constant. This means that the current I ₃ + I ₄ remains constant through the LEDs. For this purpose, the second output current I ₄ from the second output 4 is set so that via the second external resistor R ₄ , which is connected between the second output 4 and the LEDs, ie the second terminal of the consumer 6, the additional voltage drops. Therefore, in this operating voltage range B, the power dissipation P _{R4 of} the second external resistor R _{4 increases} parabolically while the power dissipation P _LED released in the LEDs remains the same. At a certain point, the current source of the second output 4 no longer supplies enough current I ₄ to allow the voltage across the resistor to continue to rise with the operating voltage U _b rising further. This point marks the transition to another operating voltage range C in which both the power P _R4 in the second external resistor R ₄ and the power P _LED in the LEDs remain nearly constant. The additional power loss must now be eliminated in the control circuit 10 itself, which can only be done up to another operating voltage point. Then, a transition into an operating voltage range D, in which the power must be lowered in total, in order to prevent destruction of the control circuit 10 and / or the LEDs, ie the load 11. In this operating voltage range D is typically a correct or complete function of the consumer 11 or all consumers are no longer possible or possible.

If more than two outputs are used to supply a load, in this case an LED chain, then naturally more complex area patterns are conceivable.

In the areas B and C, therefore, the sum of the output currents I ₃ + I _{4 is} kept constant. In region B, the output current I _{4 of} the second output 4 readjusted while in the range C by the voltage drop across the control circuit 10, the sum current I ₃ + I ₄ is readjusted by the load 11 and kept constant. The area D is an area which is typically outside the respective specification for the control circuit 10 and therefore only has emergency running characteristics.

Fig. 7 shows a circuit arrangement similar to that according to Fig. 1 but with a reduced number of input and output connections. Incidentally, the operation of this circuit is the same as that described above.

Based on the embodiments according to Fig. 8 It can be seen that the consumer 11 is supplied via a total of four power modules. In each case two of these power modules are connected to one terminal of the consumer, each of these power module pairs having a possible low impedance (ideally without effective ohmic resistance) connected to the consumer path and a power path with external resistance.

To clarify and generalize the concept of the invention, it should be stressed at this point that the term "external resistance" does not necessarily mean an ohmic resistance. Rather, this term is intended to express, as it results from the context of the invention, that a power dissipation consumer arranged outside the IC is present, which delivers electrical power loss in the form of, for example, heat to the environment.

In the FIGS. 9 to 20 For example, the previously described variants of the devices in their applications are shown on other consumers than LEDs. In the FIGS. 9 to 12 the consumer is a resistive load 12, in the FIGS. 13 to 16 an inductive load 13 (with freewheeling diode 14 and overvoltage protection diode 15) and in the FIGS. 17 to 20 a capacitive load 16. Incidentally, the devices of the work FIGS. 9 to 20 as related to the above FIGS. 1 to 8 is described. It is possible that the ohmic, inductive or capacitive load in the circuits according to the FIGS. 12 . 16 or 20 can be arranged as both star and delta connection.

In the following, the invention will be explained again in a generalized form, wherein to simplify the description of the invention, the supply of a single load by means of two current sources, which feed current into two current paths, will be described. The skilled person will easily be able to extend this basic idea to three or more current paths.

The following reference numbers refer to the drawing.

It is therefore a device for the regulated supply of at least one consumer 11 with electrical energy by a control circuit 10. For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the control circuit 10 has at least four terminals 1, 2, 3, 4. A connection 2 is, for example, the ground connection and the reference potential of the control circuit 10 according to the invention, which is part of the device according to the invention. An exemplary consumer 11 has two supply terminals 5, 6. The terminals 5, 6 of the consumer 11 are connected to an output 3 and the ground terminal 2 of the control circuit 10. The control circuit 10 is supplied from a regulated or unregulated energy source 7 at least via its supply voltage terminal 1 and the ground terminal 2 with electrical energy. The second output of the control circuit 4 is electrically connected via a second external resistor R ₄ to a first terminal 5 of the load 11. In this case, the consumer 11 may also be an almost arbitrary electrical network of several consumers who are part of the consumer 11. For example, it may be in parts or in whole to a series and / or parallel connection of LEDs. It is only important that the supply of at least a portion of the consumer via the terminals 5, 6 takes place.

In any case, the consumer 11 should have a common reference potential 2 with the control circuit 10 and the power source 7. This connection can be done electrically directly or indirectly via another consumer or another consumer network. For example, the second terminal 6 of the load 11 may be connected directly to the ground terminal 2 of the control circuit 10.

Of course, it is possible that between the first output 3 of the control circuit 10 and the first terminal of the consumer 5 instead of a direct connection, a connection via a first external resistor R ₃ exists. For the inventive idea, it is only essential that this first external resistor R _{3 has} a different value than the second external resistor R ₄ , since only then a regulation of the location of the seizure of the control power loss is possible to some extent. Of course, it makes sense and expedient if one of the external resistors R ₃ , R _{4 has} a value of zero ohms, which in reality corresponds to a value that is very slightly different from zero. In general, such a connection is simply realized as a direct connection, which corresponds for example to a resistance of a few mOhms.

The resistors R ₃ , R ₄ can then be regarded as unequal, if, depending on the material of the resistors, the latter by more than 1% or better more than 2% or better more than 5% or better more than 10% or better more than 25% or better, more than 50% or better more than 100%. Particularly preferred are lead resistances between the first output 3 of the control circuit 10 and the second terminal of the load 6 of less than 10 ohms or better less than 5 ohms or better less than 2 ohms or better less than 1 ohms or better less than 100 mohms. Such low resistors may generally be considered to have a value of near zero ohms within the meaning of this disclosure.

The consumer 11 is now supplied with the sum of the two output currents I3 + I4. So that the control circuit 10 can perform its actual core task, namely the regulation of the current through the load 11, it is obvious that the sum of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ at the outputs 3, 4 of the control circuit 10 must be regulated. This sum of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ must therefore be formed within the control circuit as an actual value. This actual value I ₃ + I ₄ is then compared in the control circuit with a setpoint I _sum , which is predetermined. Both currents I _3, I ₄ are then adjusted accordingly in case of deviations between the sum of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ and the target value I _sum. In the simplest case, this "corresponding" readjustment is done, for example, by a proportional control in which the two currents I ₃ , I _{4 of} the two outputs 3, 4 are readjusted by an equal factor. Of course, matching the setpoint value I _sum with the predetermined summation current I ₃ + I ₄ may also include more complicated functions than the simple affine mapping described above. It is important that these can be described at least temporarily by a bijective, strictly monotonically increasing function between the desired value I _soll and the current sum I ₃ + I ₄ . In this case, the setpoint I _sum can be preset externally or fixed in the control _circuit 10 as an internal reference _current I _{ref_int} . Of course, for example, the conversion of these quantities by analog or digital computing circuits into other parameters such as voltages before comparison possible. This said specification of the setpoint value I _sum can be set externally, for example, by a reference _current I _{ref_ext} or a reference _resistor R _ref . With a programmed specification, for example, a value can be written into a register by a data interface ST, whereupon a digital-to-analog converter ADC generates the setpoint. In the prior art manifold methods are known for this, so that a further embodiment is not necessary here.

The second essential controllable parameter is the distribution of the sum current I ₃ + I ₄ to the output currents I ₃ , I ₄ . Since their sum I ₃ + I _{4 is} indeed determined by the said setpoint I _sum , only the ratio of Distribution between these currents I ₃ , I ₄ determined by at least one control parameter. This is referred to below as the division parameter V _p . This division parameter V _p can be determined according to various aspects. In the simplest case, this is specified from the outside via an interface. For example, this can be done again via a data interface ST and another register or via a PWM interface, wherein the duty cycle, for example, the division _parameter V _p or one of the aforementioned analog values I _{ref_ext} again. Much better, however, is the determination of the distribution parameter V _p within the control circuit 10 itself. For this purpose, the control circuit typically has a suitable component which performs this determination of the distribution parameter V _p .

In order to determine this distribution parameter V _p , it initially makes sense to record essential operating parameters of the control circuit 10. This collection does not necessarily have to be permanent. It may be provided for certain operating parameters predetermined times. The measurements can be carried out cyclically or with the aid of a band-limited measuring trigger signal. Then, when the signal meets certain conditions, eg a zero crossing, a measurement is made. The latter methodology has the advantage that it is possible that the requirements of electromagnetic compatibility can be observed. However, this depends on the specific application. As meaningful measured variables are a measurement of the output current I ₃ , I _{4 of} the control circuit 10 and / or a measurement of the output voltage U ₃ , U _{4 of} the control circuit 10 and / or a measurement of the output power P ₃ , P _{4 of} the control circuit 10 and the measurement of operating temperatures T exposed. The latter can be measured, for example, in the control circuit 10 itself and / or in parts of the control circuit 10 and / or in the vicinity of the control circuit 10 and / or in the vicinity of a resistor R ₃ , R ₄ and / or in the vicinity of a load 11. One or more of these values may then be converted to the said division parameter V _p by analog and / or digital computation. Of course, a multi-dimensional scheme that is both the current sum I ₃ + I ₄ as The current distribution between the output currents I ₃ , I _{4 also} makes sense, since erroneous states can be detected in particular due to the measurements, which can lead to switching off the control circuit by switching off one or more outputs 3, 4, for example. In this respect, it makes sense that not only the current values of these measured values, but also their past values and past values for the setpoint of the current _sum I _sum and the distribution parameter V _p for the calculation of the current setpoint values for the current _sum I _sum and the distribution parameter V _p be used. These past values may be temporarily stored in a suitable analog or digital memory. For example, the analog memories may be a low-pass filter or a sample-and-hold circuit.

All these measured parameters as well as the course of the stored values as well as their temporally simple and higher derivatives and values derived therefrom can each be compared with nominal values.

The device therefore comprises a component, typically a regulator RG, which compares one of the measured values or an intermediate stored reading or a value derived therefrom with an associated setpoint. The comparison is made by the regulator RG in such a way that the controller checks whether said measured value is smaller than the desired value or greater than the desired value. Of course, it makes sense in some cases for the controller to check whether the measured value is equal to a setpoint. This means that the measured value must lie within a tolerance band around the setpoint. It is therefore more of a target band. Of course, then it makes no sense to evaluate these measured values simultaneously as larger or smaller. As measured values for such a comparison, for example, one of the output currents I ₃ , I ₄ , I ₈ or one of the output voltages U ₃ , U ₄ , U ₈ or one of the output powers P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₈ or the sum of all or part the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ or the sum of all or part of the output powers P ₃ + P ₄ , P ₃ + P ₄ + P ₈ or the supply voltage U provided by the power source 7 available _b or the temperature T the control circuit 10, the temperature T of a portion of the control circuit 10 or the temperature T in the vicinity of the control circuit 10 or the temperature T in the vicinity of at least one consumer 11 or the temperature T in the vicinity of at least one external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R. ₈ or the temperature T in a coolant or a cooling medium in the vicinity of a resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ or a cached value of these values or a variable derived from these values and / or their cached values.

It has been shown that it already leads to good results if the distribution parameter V _{p is} the operating voltage U _b or correlates with it. However, it is also conceivable as division parameter V _p one of the output currents I ₃ , I ₄ or one of the output voltages U ₃ , U ₄ or one of the output powers P ₃ , P ₄ or the sum of all or part of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ or the sum of all or part of the output powers P ₃ + P ₄ or the temperature T of the control circuit 10 or the temperature T of a part of the control circuit 10 or the temperature T in the vicinity of the control circuit 10 or the temperature T in the vicinity of a consumer 11th or to use the temperature T in the vicinity of a resistor R ₃ , R ₄ or the temperature T of a coolant or cooling medium in the vicinity of a resistor R ₃ , R ₄ .

In addition, it is also possible, the sum of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ as a function of one of the output voltages U ₃ , U ₄ or in dependence on one of the output powers P ₃ , P ₄ or in dependence on the sum of the output powers P ₃ + P ₄ or as a function of the temperature T of the control circuit 10 or the temperature T of a portion of the control circuit 10 or the temperature T in the vicinity of the control circuit 10 or the temperature T in the vicinity of a consumer 11 or the temperature T in the vicinity of Resistor R ₃ , R ₄ to regulate. Instead of the aforementioned values, alternatively or in addition, stored values of these values and / or variables derived from these values or the operating voltage U _{b can also be used} for the regulation.

As already mentioned, the existing measured values open up the possibility of using them for error detection. Therefore, a device according to the invention not only has components to make these measurements and to generate from them the said control signals I _soll , V _p , but preferably, but not necessarily, also via a component having the function of error monitoring. This outputs at least one error signal S _stat , which can signal an error. Such an error signal S _stat may also be the content of a register or a bit that can be read via a digital interface, eg a data interface ST, and whose value is generated by the said component. An analogue signaling via special lines is of course also possible.

Of particular importance is that this component should also be able to receive error messages from other systems that are not part of the control circuit. Thus, the component should preferably be able to be linked to the error signal of another device according to the invention or another device not according to the invention. This makes it possible, for example, for a fault on a module consisting of control circuit and consumers to be able to switch off all modules connected by chaining. It is particularly advantageous if this chaining is done, for example, by means of a wired-or circuit and a pull-up resistor of the error signal S _stat .

1. a) ein "Open-Fehler", bei dem eine Unterbrechung oder signifikante Einschränkung des Stromflusses durch einen Verbraucher erkannt wird, und
2. b) ein Kurzschluss, bei dem ein Verbraucher überbrückt ist oder einen massiv abgesenkten Innenwiderstand aufweist.

As error modes, which should be particularly preferred to be recognized

1. a) an "open fault" which detects a disruption or significant limitation of the flow of current through a consumer, and
2. b) a short circuit in which a consumer is bridged or has a massively lowered internal resistance.

A characteristic for an "open error" can be, for example, an output current I ₃ , I ₄ which is less than 10% or 20% or 30% or 40% or 50% of one specified or expected value is. Here, a value of less than 30% has been found to be particularly advantageous.

As a feature for a short circuit, an output voltage U ₃ , U ₄ can be used which is smaller than a predetermined desired value at at least one of the outputs 3, 4 of the control circuit 10. In the case of a power supply for an LED chain, this setpoint depends on the number of LEDs. For example, it may have a value of 0.5V or 0.1V or 1.5V but other values as well. Incidentally, in the case of an LED circuit, it makes sense if at least one of the resistors R ₃ , R _{4 has} a value of zero ohms or almost zero ohms. This is to be interpreted as having a value of less than 100hm, or better less than 50hm, or better less than 20hm, or better less than 10hm, or better less than 100mOhm.

If now such an error from externally by means of signaling or by measurement or by deviation from a setpoint or setpoint range or a predetermined time course or course range of one of the previously discussed parameters and / or one of the previously described control variables and / or derived from these size detected by a component of the control circuit 10, so there is a possible measure that can take an optional control within the control circuit 10 in that the power supply to at least one consumer 11 is reduced or adjusted in the form of the output by the control circuit 10 to this energy.

A particular form of self-diagnosis of the device according to the invention can take place in that one of the current branches, for example the second terminal 4 of the control circuit 10 is not supplied with power and the voltage at this branch, in this example the second output voltage U ₄ , is measured. As a result, the state of an LED chain acting as a consumer 11 can be determined more reliably. However, such a measurement represents a failure of the operation. Therefore, this measurement, if at all, only temporarily and typically only with a certain minimum time interval and, for example, periodically. A possible self-diagnosis in the form of error detection is therefore at least for a possible error only at certain times and not continuously.

Of course, it is conceivable to use a plurality of control circuits 10 according to the invention for example for RGB light control. For this example, three LED chains in red, green and blue are needed. In this exemplary embodiment, each of these LED chains is powered by a respective device according to the invention with energy. For setting the correct color, it is therefore useful to combine this triple-control circuit with a color sensor MF for this purpose. This typically provides three actual values with which the respective current _sums I _{sum_r} , I _{sum_g} and I _{sum_b} can be _readjusted . Three values can then be specified as an external setpoint, which are converted by a computer into the setpoints I _{sum_r} , I _{sum_g} and I _{sum_b} , depending on the color model used. Of course, the direct specification of the setpoints by an external wiring and / or by means of programming is conceivable. Such an external wiring can be done for example by reference _currents I _{ref_ext_1} , I _{ref_ext_2} , I _{ref_ext_3} , which are impressed via external resistors R _{ref_1} , R _{ref_2} , R _{ref_3} .

Finally, it should be mentioned at this point that, with a suitable embodiment of the external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R _{4_1} , R _{4_ 2} , R _{4_ 3} , R _8, it is possible to allow operating temperatures which are far above the operating temperatures which are for Semiconductor and thus a realization of the control circuit 10 according to the invention are allowed as an integrated circuit. Also, the external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R _{4_1} , R _{4_2} , R _{4_3} , R _{8 may be} mounted at a location other than the control _circuit 10. This makes it possible, for example, by a suitable thermal insulation between external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R _{4_1} , R _{4_2} , R _{4_3} , R ₈ and control _circuit 10 to protect them from excessive temperature _load . The resistor thus acts as a kind of electrical heat sink relative to the system, which is the character of the invention in particular makes it clear. It is therefore a feature of an appropriate form of the invention that an external resistor R _3, R _4, R _8, R _{4_1,} R _{4_2,} R ₄ is mounted or in such a spatial distance from the control circuit 10 is thermally otherwise isolated so that when the maximum operating temperature T _{R of} the relevant external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ , R _{4_1} , R _{4_ 2} , R _{4 is reached,} the temperature of the control _circuit 10 is in the best case not more than 10 ° C or less than 20 ° C or worse not more than 40 ° C or worse not more than 80 ° C is increased.

On the other hand, cooling is particularly effective when the temperature difference between the external resistor and its cooling, such as a coolant or heat sink, is maximized. This can be done by maximizing the allowable operating temperature of the external resistor. It is therefore a feature of one embodiment of the invention, when an external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ , R _{4_1} , R _{4_2} , R _{4_3} in a specification-compliant operating state of the control _circuit 10, a temperature of T _R of greater than 150 ° C or better than 200 ° C, or better, greater than 250 ° C, or better, greater than 350 ° C, or better, greater than 450 ° C. In this context, it is conceivable, for example, to carry out the cooling by liquid metal, that is, for example, lead or tin, etc. In this case, the heat of fusion can be exploited if the loads are only for a short time. The device is therefore able to successfully control very large peak loads, which distinguishes it significantly from the prior art.

1. 1. Vorrichtung zur geregelten Versorgung eines Verbrauchers 11 mit elektrischer Energie durch eine Regelschaltung 10, wobei
   • die Regelschaltung 10 über mindestens vier Anschlüsse 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 verfügt,
   • der Verbraucher 11 über mindestens zwei Versorgungsanschlüsse verfügt 5, 6,
   • die Regelschaltung 10 über mindestens über zwei ihrer Anschlüsse 1, 2 aus einer geregelten oder ungeregelten Energiequelle 7 mit elektrischer Energie versorgt wird,
   • mindestens ein Ausgang 3, 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 über einen externen Widerstand R₃, R₄, R₈ mit mindestens einem ersten Anschluss 5 des Verbrauchers 11 elektrisch verbunden ist,
   • ein anderer Ausgang 3, 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 über einen externen Widerstand R₃, R₄, R₈ oder direkt mit dem besagten ersten Anschluss 5 des Verbrauchers 11 elektrisch verbunden ist,
   • der Verbraucher 11 mit zumindest einem weiteren zweiten Anschluss 6 mit der Energiequelle 7 oder einem weiteren Anschluss 2 der Regelschaltung 10 elektrisch verbunden ist,
   • bei dem Vorhandensein mindestens zweier externer Widerstände (R₃, R₄, R₈) diese unterschiedliche Werte haben,
   • die Summe der Ausgangsströme I₃+I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈ an den Ausgängen 3, 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 einem als Sollwert I_sum vorgegebenen Summenstrom I₃+I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈ entspricht und
   • die strombetragsmäßige Verteilung der Summe der Ausgangsströme I₃+I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈ auf die Ausgangsströme I₃, I₄, I₈ der Ausgänge 3, 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 von mindestens einem Regelparameter, d.h. einem Verteilungsparameter V_p, abhängig ist, der in der Regelschaltung 10 ermittelt wird oder von außen über eine analoge oder digitale Schnittstelle ST oder ein anderes Signal PWM vorgegeben wird.
2. 2. Vorrichtung nach Ziffer 1, wobei die Regelschaltung 10 mindestens zwei Stromquellen IS₁, IS₂, IS₈ umfasst, die die Ausgangsströme I₃, I₄, I₈ liefern.
3. 3. Vorrichtung nach Ziffer 1 oder 2, wobei die Regelschaltung mindestens eine Vorrichtung MI₃, MI₄, MI₈ umfasst, die zumindest zeitweise mindestens einen Ausgangsstrom I₃, I₄, I₈ misst.
4. 4. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 3, wobei die Regelschaltung mindestens eine Vorrichtung MU₃, MU₄, MU₈ umfasst, die mindestens eine Ausgangsspannung U₃, U₄, U₈ zumindest zeitweise an einem der Ausgänge 3, 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 misst.
5. 5. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 4, wobei die Regelschaltung mindestens eine Vorrichtung MU_b umfasst, die mindestens eine Versorgungsspannung U_b einer Regelschaltung 10 zumindest zeitweise misst.
6. 6. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 5, wobei die Regelschaltung mindestens eine Vorrichtung MP₃, MP₄, MP₈ umfasst, die mindestens eine Ausgangsleistung P₃, P₄, P₈ zumindest zeitweise an einem der Ausgänge 3, 4 der Regelschaltung 10 misst.
7. 7. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 6, wobei die Regelschaltung 10 mindestens eine Vorrichtung umfasst, die mindestens eine Temperatur T zumindest zeitweise
   • in der Regelschaltung 10 selbst und/oder
   • in Teilen der Regelschaltung 10 und/oder
   • in der Nähe der Regelschaltung 10 und/oder
   • in der Nähe zumindest eines Verbrauchers 11 und/oder
   • in der Nähe zumindest eines externen Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈
   • in einem Kühlmittel oder einem Kühlmedium in der Nähe eines Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈
   misst.
8. 8. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 3 bis 7
   • wobei die Vorrichtung mindestens eine Komponente RG aufweist, die mindesten einen der gemessenen Werte oder einem zwischengespeicherten Messwert oder einem daraus abgeleiteten Wert mit mindestens einem zugehörigen Sollwert vergleicht,
   • wobei der Vergleich durch die Vorrichtung RG dadurch erfolgt, ob der besagte gemessene Wert kleiner als der Sollwert oder größer als der Sollwert oder auch optional gleich dem Sollwert ist, wobei gleich bedeutet, dass der gemessene Wert innerhalb eines Toleranzbands um den Sollwert liegt und alle Werte die innerhalb dieses Toleranzbandes liegen nicht als größer oder kleiner bewertet werden,
   • wobei mindestens einer der Messwerte
     • einer der Ausgangsströme I₃, I₄, I₈ oder
     • eine der Ausgangsspannungen U₃, U₄, U₈ oder
     • eine der Ausgangsleistungen P₃, P₄, P₈ oder
     • die Summe aller oder eines Teils der Ausgangsströme I₃+ I₄, I₃+ I₄+ I₈ oder
     • die Summe aller oder eines Teils der Ausgangsleistungen P₃+P₄, P₃+P₄+P₈ oder
     • die von der Energiequelle 7 zur Verfügung gestellten Betriebsspannung U_b oder
     • die Temperatur T der Regelschaltung 10 oder
     • die Temperatur T eines Teils der Regelschaltung 10 oder
     • die Temperatur T in der Nähe der Regelschaltung 10 oder
     • die Temperatur T in der Nähe zumindest eines Verbrauchers 11 oder
     • die Temperatur T in der Nähe zumindest eines externen Widerstands R3, R4, R8 oder
     • die Temperatur T in einem Kühlmittel oder einem Kühlmedium in der Nähe eines Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈ oder
     • ein zwischengespeicherter Wert dieser Werte oder
     • eine aus diesen Werten und/oder deren zwischengespeicherten Werten abgeleitete Größe
     ist.
9. 9. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 8, wobei
   • mindestens ein Verteilungsparameter V_p
     • einer der Ausgangsströme I₃, I₄, I₈ oder
     • eine der Ausgangsspannungen U₃, U₄, U₈ oder
     • eine der Ausgangsleistungen P₃, P₄, P₈ oder
     • die Summe aller oder eines Teils der Ausgangsströme I₃+ I₄, I₃+ I₄+I₈ oder
     • die Summe aller oder eines Teils der Ausgangsleistungen P₃+P₄, P₃+P₄+P₈ oder
     • die Betriebsspannung U_b der Regelschaltung 10 oder
     • der Temperatur T der Regelschaltung 10 oder
     • der Temperatur T eines Teils der Regelschaltung 10 oder
     • der Temperatur T in der Nähe der Regelschaltung 10 oder
     • der Temperatur T in der Nähe zumindest eines Verbrauchers 11 oder
     • der Temperatur T in der Nähe zumindest eines externen Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈ oder
     • der Temperatur T in einem Kühlmittels oder einem Kühlmediums in der Nähe eines Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈ oder
     • ein zwischengespeicherter Wert der vorstehenden Werte oder
     • eine aus den vorstehenden Werten abgeleitete Größe oder
     • eine aus den zwischengespeicherten Werten der vorstehenden Werte abgeleitete Größe
     ist.
10. 10. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 9, wobei
    • die Summe von mindesten zwei Ausgangsströmen I₃+ I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈ von
      • mindestens einer der Ausgangsspannungen U₃, U₄, U₈ und/oder
      • mindestens einer der Ausgangsleistungen P₃, P₄, P₅ und/oder
      • der Summe aller oder eines Teils der Ausgangsleistungen P₃+P₄, P₃+P₄+P₈ und/oder
      • der von der Energiequelle 7 zur Verfügung gestellten Betriebsspannung U_b und/oder
      • der Temperatur T der Regelschaltung 10 und/oder
      • der Temperatur T eines Teils der Regelschaltung 10 und/oder
      • der Temperatur T in der Nähe der Regelschaltung 10 und/oder
      • der Temperatur T in der Nähe zumindest eines Verbrauchers 11 und/oder
      • der Temperatur T in der Nähe zumindest eines externen Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈ und/oder
      • der Temperatur T in einem Kühlmittels oder einem Kühlmediums in der Nähe eines Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈ und/oder
      • einem zwischen gespeichertem Wert dieser Werte und/oder
      • einer aus den vorstehenden Werten abgeleiteten Größe und/oder
      • einer aus den zwischengespeicherten Werten der vorstehenden Werte abgeleiteten Größe
      abhängt.
11. 11. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 10 und nach Ziffer 8, wobei
    • mindestens eine der besagten Komponenten FD der Ziffer 8 die Funktion einer Fehlerüberwachung hat und mindestens ein Fehlersignal S_stat ausgibt oder auf Aufforderung ausgibt,
    • das Fehlersignal S_stat einen Fehler signalisieren kann.
12. 12. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 11 und nach Ziffer 11, wobei
    • mindestens eine der besagten Komponenten FD des Anspruchs 11 mit dem Fehlersignal S_{stat_ext} einer weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung oder einer weiteren nicht erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung verkettet werden kann, sodass die Vorrichtung das Fehlersignal S_{stat_ext} der weiteren Vorrichtung als Fehler mittels des Fehlersignals Sstat ausgibt.
13. 13. Vorrichtung nach Ziffer 12, wobei die Verkettung durch eine "wired-or"-Verknüpfung erfolgt.
14. 14. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 11 bis 13, wobei mindestens einer der erkannten Fehler ein "Open-Fehler" oder ein Kurzschluss ist.
15. 15. Vorrichtung nach Ziffer 14, wobei
    • ein "Open-Fehler" erkannt wird, wenn mindestens ein Ausgangsstrom I₃, I₄ kleiner als 10% oder 20% oder 30% oder 40% oder 50% eines Soll- oder Erwartungswertes ist oder
    • ein Kurzschluss erkannt wird, wenn die Ausgangsspannung U₃, U₄, U₈ an mindestens einem der Ausgänge 3, 4 der Regelschaltung 10 kleiner als ein Sollwert ist.
16. 16. Vorrichtung nach Ziffer 15, wobei
    • ein Kurzschluss erkannt wird, wenn mindestens eine Ausgangsspannung U₃, U₄, U₈ an mindestens einem der Ausgänge 3, 4 der Regelschaltung 10 kleiner als 0,5V oder 0,1V oder 1,5V ist und
    • mindestens einer der Verbraucher eine LED oder eine Zusammenschaltung von LEDs ist und
    • einer der Ausgänge 3, 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 direkt mit einem ersten Anschluss 5 des Verbrauchers 11 verbunden ist.
17. 17. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 11 bis 16, wobei im Falle eines Fehlers die Energieversorgung zumindest eines Verbrauchers in Form der durch die Regelschaltung an diesen abgegebenen Energie reduziert oder eingestellt wird.
18. 18. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 11 bis 17, wobei eine Selbstdiagnose in Form einer Fehlererkennung durch mindestens eine Komponente FD zumindest für einen möglichen Fehler nur zu bestimmten Zeiten und nicht kontinuierlich erfolgt.
19. 19. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 18, wobei
    • mindestens ein Verbraucher 11
      • eine LED oder
      • mindestens teilweise eine Serienschaltung von LEDs 11, 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 oder
      • mindestens teilweise eine Parallelschaltung von LEDs ist.
20. 20. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 19, wobei
    • zumindest ein Ausgangsstrom I₄, I₈ eines Ausgangs 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 von der Betriebsspannung U_b abhängt , wobei auch Betriebsspannungsbereiche D umfasst sind, in den keine korrekte Funktion mehr erfolgt, und
    • dieser Ausgangsstrom I₄, I₄ in zumindest einem Betriebsspannungsbereich C, C1, C2 konstant ist.
21. 21. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 20, wobei
    • zumindest eine Stromsumme I₃+I₄ von mindestens zwei Ausgangsströmen I₄, I₃ zweier zugehöriger Ausgänge 3, 4 der Regelschaltung 10 von der Betriebsspannung U_b abhängt, wobei auch Betriebsspannungsbereiche D umfasst sind, in den keine korrekte Funktion mehr erfolgt, und
    • diese Stromsumme I₃+I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈ und/oder die Verbraucherverlustleistung P_LED in zumindest einem Betriebsspannungsbereich B, C, C1, C2 konstant ist und
    • zumindest einer der Ströme I₄ in zumindest einem der Spannungsbereich B nicht konstant ist in dem die Stromsumme I₃+I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈ und/oder die Verbraucherverlustleistung P_LED konstant ist.
22. 22. Vorrichtung zur geregelten Versorgung mindestens zweier Verbraucher 11_1, 11_2 mit elektrischer Energie,
    • wobei die Vorrichtung mindestens zwei Regelschaltungen 10_1, 10_2 nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 21 umfasst und
    • wobei mindestens ein Teil dieser mindestens zwei Regelschaltungen 10_1, 10_2 je mindestens einen der Verbraucher 11_1, 11_2 mit elektrischer Energie versorgt und
    • wobei dieser jeweilige Verbraucher 11_1, 11_2 nicht durch eine der anderen Regelschaltungen 10_1, 10_2 ebenfalls mit Energie versorgt wird.
23. 23. Vorrichtung nach Ziffer 22, wobei die Referenzströme I_{ref_ext} für die Stromquellen von mindestens zwei der Regelschaltungen 10_1, 10_2 der Vorrichtung separat durch je ein externes Referenzsignal oder durch Programmierung eingestellt werden können.
24. 24. Vorrichtung bestehend aus mindestens zwei oder drei Teilvorrichtungen 10_1, 10_2, 10_3 nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 23
    • wobei jede Teilvorrichtung je eine LED-Kette 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 oder je eine andere Verschaltung lichterzeugender Bauteile mit elektrischer Energie versorgt und
    • wobei die LED-Ketten 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 oder anderen Verschaltungen lichterzeugender Bauteile mindestens einen räumlichen Bereich gemeinsam beleuchten und
    • wobei die LED-Ketten 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 oder anderen Verschaltungen lichterzeugender Bauteile jeweils in einer anderen Farbe oder Schwerpunktwellenlänge strahlen und
    • wobei die Vorrichtung zumindest einen Farb-Sensor MF aufweist und
    • wobei zumindest dieser Farb-Sensor MF mindestens einen Messwert für die Farbe zumindest eines Teils des aus dem beleuchteten Bereich zurückgestreuten Lichts und/oder des Lichts der LED-Ketten oder der anderen besagten lichterzeugenden Bauteile liefert und
    • wobei die jeweiligen Summenströme I₃+I₄ der jeweiligen Teilvorrichtungen in Abhängigkeit von dem mindestens einen Messwert des Farb-Sensors MF und mindestens einem zugehörigen Sollwert eingestellt werden.
25. 25. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 24
    • wobei mindestens ein externer Widerstand R₃, R₄, R₈, R_{4_1}, R_{4_2}, R_{4_3} in einer räumlichen Entfernung von der Regelschaltung 10 montiert oder thermisch sonst wie isoliert ist,
    • sodass bei Erreichen der maximalen Betriebstemperatur T_R des betreffenden externen Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈, R_{4_1}, R_{4_2}, R_{4_3} die Temperatur der Regelschaltung 10 um nicht mehr als 10°C oder nicht mehr als 20°C oder nicht mehr als 40°C oder nicht mehr als 80°C erhöht wird.
26. 26. Vorrichtung nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 25, wobei mindestens ein externer Widerstand R₃, R₄, R₈, R_{4_1}, R_{4_2}, R_{4_3} in zumindest einem spezifikationskonformen Betriebszustand der Regelschaltung 10 eine Temperatur von T_R größer als 150°C oder größer als 200°C oder größer als 250°C oder größer als 350°C oder größer als 450°C erreicht.
27. 27. Regelschaltung 10 zur Verwendung in einer Vorrichtung in einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 1 bis 26
    • wobei die Regelschaltung mindestens zwei Stromquellen IS3, IS4, IS8 umfasst und
    • die Summe der Ausgangsströme I₃+I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈ an den Ausgängen 3, 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 einem als Sollwert I_sum vorgegebenen Summenstrom I₃+I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈ entspricht und
    • die strombetragsmäßige Verteilung der Summe der Ausgangsströme I₃+I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈ auf die Ausgangsströme I₃, I₄, I₈ der Ausgänge 3, 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 von mindestens einem Regelparameter, d. h. einem Verteilungsparameter V_p, abhängig ist, der in der Regelschaltung 10 ermittelt wird oder von außen über eine analoge oder digitale Schnittstelle ST oder ein anderes Signal PWM vorgegeben wird.
28. 28. Verfahren zur geregelten Versorgung eines Verbrauchers 11 mit elektrischer Energie durch eine Regelschaltung 10, wobei
    • die Regelschaltung 10 über mindestens vier Anschlüsse 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 verfügt,
    • der Verbraucher 11 über mindestens zwei Versorgungsanschlüsse verfügt 5, 6,
    • die Regelschaltung 10 über mindestens über zwei ihrer Anschlüsse 1, 2 aus einer geregelten oder ungeregelten Energiequelle 7 mit elektrischer Energie versorgt wird,
    • mindestens ein Ausgang 3, 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 über einen externen Widerstand R₃, R₄, R₈ mit mindestens einem ersten Anschluss 5 des Verbrauchers 11 elektrisch verbunden ist,
    • ein anderer Ausgang 3, 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 über einen externen Widerstand R₃, R₄, R₈ oder direkt mit dem besagten ersten Anschluss 5 des Verbrauchers 11 elektrisch verbunden ist,
    • der Verbraucher 11 mit zumindest einem weiteren zweiten Anschluss 6 mit der Energiequelle 7 oder einem weiteren Anschluss 2 der Regelschaltung 10 elektrisch verbunden ist,
    • bei dem Vorhandensein mindestens zweier externer Widerstände R₃, R₄, R₈ diese unterschiedliche Werte haben,
    • die Summe der Ausgangsströme I₃+I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈ an den Ausgängen 3, 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 einem als Sollwert I_sum vorgegebenen Summenstrom I₃+I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈ entspricht und
    • die strombetragsmäßige Verteilung der Summe der Ausgangsströme I₃+I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈ auf die Ausgangsströme I₃, I₄, I₈ der Ausgänge 3, 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 von mindestens einem Regelparameter, d. h. einem Verteilungsparameter V_p, abhängig ist, der in der Regelschaltung 10 ermittelt wird oder von außen über eine analoge oder digitale Schnittstelle ST oder ein anderes Signal PWM vorgegeben wird.
29. 29. Verfahren nach Ziffer 24, wobei die Regelung mit Hilfe von mindestens zwei realen Stromquellen mit endlichen Innenwiderständen erfolgt, die die Ausgangsströme I₃, I₄, I₈ liefern.
30. 30. Verfahren nach Ziffer 24 oder 29, wobei zumindest zeitweise mindestens ein Ausgangsstrom I₃, I₄, I₈ gemessen wird.
31. 31. Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 24 bis 30, wobei mindestens eine Ausgangsspannung U₃, U₄, U₈ zumindest zeitweise an einem der Ausgänge 3, 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 gemessen wird.
32. 32. Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 24 bis 31, wobei mindestens eine Versorgungsspannung U_b einer Regelschaltung 10 gemessen wird.
33. 33. Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 24 bis 32, wobei mindestens eine Ausgangsleistung P₃, P₄, P₈ zumindest zeitweise an einem der Ausgänge 3, 4, 8 der Regelschaltung 10 gemessen wird.
34. 34. Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 24 bis 33, wobei
    • mindestens eine Temperatur T zumindest zeitweise
      • in der Regelschaltung 10 selbst oder
      • in Teilen der Regelschaltung 10 oder
      • in der Nähe der Regelschaltung 10 oder
      • in der Nähe zumindest eines Verbrauchers 11 oder
      • in der Nähe eines externen Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈ oder
      • in einem Kühlmittels oder einem Kühlmediums in der Nähe eines Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈
      gemessen wird.
35. 35. Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 30 bis 34
    • wobei mindesten einer der gemessenen Werte oder mindestens einer der zwischengespeicherten Werte oder mindestens einer aus diesen abgeleiteten Werte (besagte Werte) mit mindestens einem Sollwert verglichen wird,
    • wobei der Vergleich dadurch erfolgt, dass festgestellt wird ob der besagte Wert kleiner als der Sollwert oder größer als der Sollwert oder auch optional gleich dem Sollwert ist, wobei gleich bedeutet, dass der besagte Wert innerhalb eines Toleranzbands um den Sollwert liegt und ein besagter Wert, der innerhalb dieses Toleranzbandes liegt nicht als größer oder kleiner im Rahmen des besagten Vergleichs bewertet wird,
    • wobei mindestens einer der besagten Werte
      • einer der Ausgangsströme I₃, I₄, I₈ oder
      • eine der Ausgangsspannungen U₃, U₄, U₈ oder
      • eine der Ausgangsleistungen P₃, P₄, P₈ oder
      • die Summe aller oder eines Teils der Ausgangsströme I₃+ I₄, I₃+ I₄+ I₈ oder
      • die Summe aller oder eines Teils der Ausgangsleistungen P₃+P₄, P₃+P₄+P₈ oder
      • die von der Energiequelle 7 zur Verfügung gestellten Betriebsspannung U_b oder
      • die Temperatur T der Regelschaltung 10 oder
      • die Temperatur T eines Teils der Regelschaltung 10 oder
      • die Temperatur T in der Nähe der Regelschaltung 10 oder
      • die Temperatur T in der Nähe zumindest eines Verbrauchers 11 oder
      • die Temperatur T in der Nähe zumindest eines externen Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈ oder
      • die Temperatur T in einem Kühlmittel oder einem Kühlmedium in der Nähe eines Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈ oder
      • ein zwischengespeicherter Wert dieser Werte oder
      • eine aus diesen Werten und/oder deren zwischengespeicherten Werten abgeleitete Größe
      ist.
36. 36. Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 24 bis 35, wobei
    • mindestens ein Verteilungsparameter V_p
      • einer der Ausgangsströme I₃, I₄, I₈ oder
      • eine der Ausgangsspannungen U₃, U₄, U₈ oder
      • eine der Ausgangsleistungen P₃, P₄, P₈ oder
      • die Summe aller oder eines Teils der Ausgangsströme I₃+ I₄, I₃+ I₄+ I₈ oder
      • die Summe aller oder eines Teils der Ausgangsleistungen P₃+P₄, P₃+P₄+P₈ oder
      • die von der Energiequelle 7 zur Verfügung gestellten Betriebsspannung U_b oder
      • die Temperatur T der Regelschaltung 10 oder
      • die Temperatur T eines Teils der Regelschaltung 10 oder
      • die Temperatur T in der Nähe der Regelschaltung 10 oder
      • die Temperatur T in der Nähe zumindest eines Verbrauchers 11 oder
      • die Temperatur T in der Nähe zumindest eines externen Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈ oder
      • die Temperatur T in einem Kühlmittel oder einem Kühlmedium in der Nähe eines Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈ oder
      • ein zwischen gespeicherter Wert der vorstehenden Werte oder
      • eine aus diesen vorstehenden Werten abgeleitete Größe oder
      • eine aus zwischengespeicherten Werten der vorstehenden Werte abgeleitete Größe
      ist.
37. 37. Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 24 bis 36, wobei
    • die Summe von mindesten zwei Ausgangsströmen I₃+I₄, I₃+ I₄+ I₈ in Abhängigkeit von
      • mindestens einer der Ausgangsspannungen U₃, U₄, U₈ und/oder
      • mindestens einer der Ausgangsleistungen P₃, P₄, P₈ und/oder
      • der Summe aller oder eines Teils der Ausgangsleistungen P₃+P₄, P₃+P₄+P₈ und/oder
      • der von der Energiequelle 7 zur Verfügung gestellten Betriebsspannung U_b und/oder
      • der Temperatur T der Regelschaltung 10 und/oder
      • der Temperatur T eines Teils der Regelschaltung 10 und/oder
      • der Temperatur T in der Nähe der Regelschaltung 10 und/oder
      • der Temperatur T in der Nähe zumindest eines Verbrauchers 11 und/oder
      • der Temperatur in der Nähe zumindest eines externen Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈ und/oder
      • der Temperatur T in einem Kühlmittel oder einem Kühlmedium in der Nähe eines Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈ und/oder
      • einem zwischengespeichertem Wert dieser Werte und/oder
      • einer aus den vorstehenden Werten abgeleiteten Größe und/oder
      • einer von deren zwischengespeicherten den vorstehenden Werten abgeleiteten Größe
      geregelt wird.
38. 38. Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 24 bis 37 und nach Ziffer 35, wobei
    • durch den Vergleich eines Messwertes mit einem Sollwert entsprechend Ziffer 35 eine Fehlerüberwachung und/oder Fehlererkennung durchgeführt wird und
    • wobei mindestens ein Fehlersignal S_stat erzeugt wird, das zur Signalisierung eines Fehlers dient, wenn dieser durch den besagten Vergleich festgestellt wird.
39. 39. Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 24 bis 38 und nach Ziffer 38, wobei
    • mindestens ein externes Fehlersignal S_{stat_ext} empfangen wird und
    • auch dann ein Fehlersignal S_stat, das zur Signalisierung eines Fehlers dient, erzeugt wird, also ein Fehler signalisiert wird, wenn mindestens ein empfangenes externes Fehlersignal S_{stat_ext} einen anderen Fehler signalisiert.
40. 40. Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 38 bis 39, wobei mindestens einer der erkannten Fehler ein "Open-Fehler" oder ein Kurzschluss ist.
41. 41. Verfahren nach Ziffer 40, wobei
    • ein "Open-Fehler" erkannt wird, wenn mindestens ein gemessener Ausgangsstrom I₃, I₄, I₈ kleiner als 10% oder 20% oder 30% oder 40% oder 50% eines Soll- oder Erwartungswertes ist oder
    • ein Kurzschluss erkannt wird, wenn mindesten eine gemessene Ausgangsspannung U₃, U₄, U₈ kleiner als ein Sollwert ist.
42. 42. Verfahren nach Ziffer 41, wobei ein Kurzschluss erkannt wird, wenn mindestens eine Ausgangsspannung U₃, U₄, U₈ kleiner als 0,5V oder 0,1V oder 1,5V ist
43. 43. Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 38 bis 42, wobei im Falle eines Fehlers die Energieversorgung zumindest eines Verbrauchers in Form der durch die Regelschaltung an diesen abgegebenen Energie reduziert oder eingestellt wird.
44. 44. Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 38 bis 43, wobei eine Selbstdiagnose in Form einer Fehlererkennung zumindest für einen möglichen Fehler nur zu bestimmten Zeiten und nicht kontinuierlich erfolgt.
45. 45. Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 24 bis 44, wobei zumindest ein Ausgangsstrom I₄ in zumindest einem Betriebsspannungsbereich C konstant ausgeregelt wird.
46. 46. Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 24 bis 45, wobei
    • zumindest eine Stromsumme I₃+I₄, I₃+ I₄+ I₈ von mindestens zwei Ausgangsströmen I₄, I₃, I₈ in zumindest einem Betriebsspannungsbereich B, C, C1, C2 konstant gehalten wird und
    • zumindest einer der Ströme I₄ in zumindest einem der Betriebsspannungsbereiche B nicht konstant ausgeregelt wird in dem die besagte Stromsumme I₃+I₄, I₃+ I₄+ I₈ von mindestens zwei Ausgangsströmen I₄, I₃, I₈ konstant gehalten wird,
    • wobei der letztere Betriebsspannungsbereich B ein Teil des zuerst genannten Betriebsspannungsbereiches B, C, C1, C2 ist oder mit diesem gleich ist.
47. 47. Verfahren zur geregelten Versorgung mindestens zweier Verbraucher 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 mit elektrischer Energie, wobei mindestens ein Teil dieser der Verbraucher 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 jeweils mittels eines Verfahren nach einer oder mehreren der Ziffern 24 bis 46 mit elektrischer Energie versorgt wird.
48. 48. Verfahren nach Ziffer 47, wobei mindestens zwei Ausgangsströme I₃, I₄, I₈ durch je ein externes Referenzsignal I_{ref_ext_1}, I_{ref_ext_2}, I_{ref_ext_3} oder durch Programmierung eingestellt werden.

Bezugszeichenliste Bezugszeichen Beschreibung 1 Versorgungsspannungsanschluss der erfindungsgemäßen Regelschaltung 10 2 Masseanschluss der erfindungsgemäßen Regelschaltung 10 (Bezugspotenzial) 3 Erster Ausgang der Regelschaltung 10 3_1 Erster Ausgang der Regelschaltung 10_1 für rot 3_2 Erster Ausgang der Regelschaltung 10_2 für grün 3_3 Erster Ausgang der Regelschaltung 10_3 für blau 4 Zweiter Ausgang der Regelschaltung 10 4_1 Zweiter Ausgang der Regelschaltung 10_1 für rot 4_2 Zweiter Ausgang der Regelschaltung 10_2 für grün 4_3 Zweiter Ausgang der Regelschaltung 10_3 für blau 5 Erster Anschluss des Verbrauchers 11 5_1 Erster Anschluss der roten LED Kette 11_1 5_2 Erster Anschluss der grünen LED Kette 11_2 5_3 Erster Anschluss der blauen LED Kette 11_3 6 Zweiter Anschluss des Verbrauchers 11 6_1 Zweiter Anschluss der roten LED Kette 11_1 6_2 Zweiter Anschluss der grün LED Kette 11_2 6_3 Zweiter Anschluss der blau LED Kette 11_3 7 Energiequelle 8 Dritter Ausgang der Regelschaltung 10 9 Vierter Ausgang der Regelschaltung 10 10 Regelschaltung 10_1 Regelschaltung der roten LED-Kette 11_1 10_2 Regelschaltung der grünen LED-Kette 11_2 10_3 Regelschaltung der blauen LED-Kette 11_3 11 Verbraucher. Der Verbraucher kann auch ein Netzwerk von Verbrauchern sein. Insbesondere kann es sich um eine LED oder eine Serien- oder Parallelschaltung von LEDs handeln. 11_1 Rote LED-Kette als Verbraucher 11 11_2 Grüne LED-Kette als Verbraucher 11 11_3 Blaue LED-Kette als Verbraucher 11 12 Ohmsche Last 13 Induktive Last 14 Freilaufdiode für die induktive Last 13 15 Überspannungsschutzdiode für die induktive Last 13 16 Kapazitive Last A Erster Betriebsspannungsbereich ADC Analog-zu-Digital-Converter B Zweiter Betriebsspannungsbereich C Dritter Betriebsspannungsbereich C1 Erste Hälfte des dritten Betriebsspannungsbereiches, in dem an einem der externen Widerstände R₄, R₈ die Leistung konstant ist. C2 Zweite Hälfte des dritten Betriebsspannungsbereiches, in dem an beiden externen Widerständen R₄, R₈ die Leistung konstant ist. CTR Controller zur Steuerung der Regelschaltung 10 D Vierter Betriebsspannungsbereich FD Fehler-Detektion. Die Fehler-Detektion erhält Messwerte von den verschiedenen Messinstrumenten und die Fehlersignale S_{stat_ext} der externen Signalisierer. Daraus ermittelt die Fehler-Detektion den Zustand des Systems. Bei Vorleigen eines Fehlers wird dieser erkannt und das System in einen sichereren Betriebszustand gebracht. Die Fehler-Detektion setzt sich dabei gegen andere Regler und Vorgaben in der Regel durch. Die Fehler-Detektion signalisiert nach außen einen fehlerhaften Zustand über das Fehlersignal S_stat. FR Farbregelung Die Farbregelung erhält von mindestens einem Farbensensor MF mindestens einen Messwert und erzeugt daraus SollWerte für die verschiedenen Regelschaltungen 10_1, 10_2, 10_3 I₃ Ausgangsstrom des ersten Ausgangs 3 der Regelschaltung 10 I₄ Ausgangsstrom des zweiten Ausgangs 4 der Regelschaltung 10 I₈ Ausgangsstrom des dritten Ausgangs 8 der Regelschaltung 10 (I₃+I₄) Summe der Ausgangsströme und zwar des Ausgangsstroms I₄ des zweiten Ausgangs 4 und des Ausgangsstroms I₃ des ersten Ausgangs 3 (I₃+I₄+I₈) Summe der Ausgangsströme und zwar des Ausgangsstroms I₈ des dritten Ausgangs 8 und des Ausgangsstroms I₄ des zweiten Ausgangs 4 und des Ausgangsstroms I₃ des ersten Ausgangs 3. Diese Stromsumme wird bei drei Stromquellen IS₃, IS₄, IS₈ verwendet. Bei mehr Stromquellen wird die Summe entsprechend erweitert. intRef Interne Referenzen I_{ref_int} Interner Referenzstrom für die Vorgabe der Stromsumme I₃+I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈. IS₃ Erste geregelte Stromquelle, die den Strom I₃ liefert. IS₄ Zweite geregelte Stromquelle, die den Strom I₄ liefert. IS₈ Dritte geregelte Stromquelle, die den Strom I₈ liefert. I_sum Sollwert für die Stromsumme I₃+I_4,, I₃+I₄+I_8,. I_{ref_ext} Externer Referenzstrom LED Leuchtdiode MF Farb-Sensor MI₃ Erste Strommessvorrichtung für die Messung des Stromes I₃ MI₄ Zweite Strommessvorrichtung für die Messung des Stromes I₄ MI₈ Dritte Strommessvorrichtung für die Messung des Stromes I₈ MU₃ Erste Spannungsmessvorrichtung für die Messung der Spannung zwischen dem ersten Ausgang 3 der Regelschaltung 10 und dem Masseanschluss 2 der Regelschaltung 10 MU₄ Zweite Spannungsmessvorrichtung für die Messung der Spannung zwischen dem zweiten Ausgang 4 der Regelschaltung 10 und dem Masseanschluss 2 der Regelschaltung 10 MU₈ Dritte Spannungsmessvorrichtung für die Messung der Spannung zwischen dem dritten Ausgang 8 der Regelschaltung 10 und dem Masseanschluss 2 der Regelschaltung 10 MP₃ Erste Leistungsmessvorrichtung für die Messung der abgegebenen Leistung an dem Tor bestehend zwischen dem ersten Ausgang 3 der Regelschaltung 10 und dem Masseanschluss 2 der Regelschaltung 10 MP₄ Zweite Leistungsmessvorrichtung für die Messung der abgegebenen Leistung an dem Tor bestehend zwischen dem zweiten Ausgang 4 der Regelschaltung 10 und dem Masseanschluss 2 der Regelschaltung 10 MP₈ Dritte Leistungsmessvorrichtung für die Messung der abgegebenen Leistung an dem Tor bestehend zwischen dem dritten Ausgang 8 der Regelschaltung 10 und dem Masseanschluss 2 der Regelschaltung 10 MT Temperaturmessvorrichtung, die die Temperatur beispielsweise in der Regelschaltung 10 selbst und/oder in Teilen der Regelschaltung 10 und/oder in der Nähe der Regelschaltung 10 und/oder in der Nähe zumindest eines Verbrauchers 11 und/oder in der Nähe eines externen Widerstands R₃, R₄, R₈ misst. MU_b Betriebsspannungsmessvorrichtung für die Messung der Betriebsspannung U_b P₃ Leistung, die durch die Regelschaltung 10 über den ersten Ausgang 3 abgegeben wird. P₄ Leistung, die durch die Regelschaltung 10 über den zweiten Ausgang 4 abgegeben wird. P₈ Leistung, die durch die Regelschaltung 10 über den dritten Ausgang 8 abgegeben wird. P₃+P₄ Summe der Ausgangsleistungen des ersten Ausgangs P₃ und des zweiten Ausgangs P₄ P₃+P₄+P₈ Summe der Ausgangsleistungen des ersten Ausgangs P₃ und des zweiten Ausgangs P₄ und des dritten Ausgangs P₈ P₁₀ Leistungsverlust in der Regelschaltung 10 P_LED Verlustleistung der LEDs (des Verbrauchers 11), Verbraucherverlustleistung P_R4 Verlustleistung des zweiten externen Widerstands R₄ P_R8 Verlustleistung des dritten externen Widerstands R₈ PWM PulsWeitenModulation R₃ Erster externer Widerstand R₄ Zweiter externer Widerstand R_{4_1} Zweiter externer Widerstand der roten LED-Kette 11_1 R_{4_2} Zweiter externer Widerstand der grünen LED-Kette 11_2 R_{4_3} Zweiter externer Widerstand der blauen LED-Kette 11_3 R₈ Dritter externer Widerstand RefG Referenzerzeugung aus den externen Referenzströmen I_{ref_ext_1}, I_{ref_ext_2}, I_{ref_ext_3}, Die Ströme werden dabei über die Widerstände R_{ref_1}, R_{ref_2}, R_{ref_3}, eingestellt. Die Ströme können zur Grundeinstellung der Teilvorrichtungen 10_1, 10_2, 10_3 mittels des Blocks RefG verwendet werden. RG Regler R_ref Referenzwiderstand S_stat Fehlersignal S_{stat_ext} Externes Fehlersignal (ein Eingangssignal der Regelschaltung 10) ST Datenschnittstelle SUP Versorgung der Regelschaltung 10 aus der Betriebsspannungsversorgung U_b T Temperatur. Hier handelt es sich um ein Zeichen für eine oder mehrere der folgenden Temperaturen: die Temperatur T der Regelschaltung 10 die Temperatur eines Teils der Regelschaltung 10 die Temperatur in der Nähe der Regelschaltung 10 die Temperatur in der Nähe eines Verbrauchers 11 die Temperatur in der Nähe eines Widerstands R₃, R₄ T_R Temperatur eines externen Widerstands R₃, R₄, R_{4_3}, R_{4_2}, R_{4_1}, R₈ U₃ Erste Ausgangsspannung, Spannung zwischen erstem Ausgang 3 und Masseanschluss 2 U₄ Zweite Ausgangsspannung, Spannung zwischen zweitem Ausgang 4 und Masseanschluss 2 U₈ Dritte Ausgangsspannung, Spannung zwischen drittem Ausgang 8 und Masseanschluss 2 U_b Betriebsspannung. Dies ist die Spannung zwischen dem Versorgungsspannungsanschluss 1 der Regelschaltung 10 und dem Masseanschluss 2 der Regelschaltung. Die Betriebsspannung wird von der Energieversorgung 7 bereitgestellt. V_p Verteilungsparameter The invention further comprises one or more features of the feature groups listed below or one or more of the feature groups listed below:

1. 1. A device for the regulated supply of a consumer 11 with electrical energy by a control circuit 10, wherein
   • the control circuit 10 has at least four terminals 1, 2, 3, 4, 8,
   • the consumer 11 has at least two supply connections 5, 6,
   • the control circuit 10 is supplied with electrical energy via at least two of its terminals 1, 2 from a regulated or unregulated energy source 7,
   • at least one output 3, 4, 8 of the control circuit 10 via an external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R _{8 is} electrically connected to at least one first terminal 5 of the load 11,
   • another output 3, 4, 8 of the control circuit 10 is electrically connected via an external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ or directly to said first terminal 5 of the load 11,
   • the consumer 11 is electrically connected to at least one further second connection 6 with the energy source 7 or a further connection 2 of the control circuit 10,
   • in the presence of at least two external resistors (R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ ) these have different values,
   • the sum of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ at the outputs 3, 4, 8 of the control circuit 10 a setpoint I _{sum sum} current I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ corresponds and
   • the current distribution distribution of the sum of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ to the output currents I ₃ , I ₄ , I _{8 of} the outputs 3, 4, 8 of the control circuit 10 of at least one control parameter, ie a distribution parameter V _p , which is determined in the control circuit 10 or is specified from the outside via an analog or digital interface ST or another signal PWM.
2. 2. Device according to item 1, wherein the control circuit 10 comprises at least two current sources IS ₁ , IS ₂ , IS ₈ , the output currents I ₃ , I ₄ , I ₈ supply.
3. 3. The device according to item 1 or 2, wherein the control circuit comprises at least one device MI ₃ , MI ₄ , MI ₈ , at least temporarily measures at least one output current I ₃ , I ₄ , I ₈ .
4. 4. Device according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 3, wherein the control circuit comprises at least one device MU ₃ , MU ₄ , MU ₈ , the at least one output voltage U ₃ , U ₄ , U ₈ at least temporarily at one of the outputs 3, 4th , 8 of the control circuit 10 measures.
5. 5. The device according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 4, wherein the control circuit comprises at least one device MU _b which measures at least one supply voltage U _{b of} a control circuit 10 at least temporarily.
6. 6. Device according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 5, wherein the control circuit comprises at least one device MP ₃ , MP ₄ , MP ₈ , the at least one output power P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₈ at least temporarily at one of the outputs 3, 4th the control circuit 10 measures.
7. 7. Device according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 6, wherein the control circuit 10 comprises at least one device, the at least one temperature T at least temporarily
   • in the control circuit 10 itself and / or
   • in parts of the control circuit 10 and / or
   • in the vicinity of the control circuit 10 and / or
   • near at least one consumer 11 and / or
   • in the vicinity of at least one external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈
   • in a coolant or a cooling medium in the vicinity of a resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈
   measures.
8. 8. Device according to one or more of the numbers 3 to 7
   • wherein the device comprises at least one component RG, the compares at least one of the measured values or a cached measured value or a value derived therefrom with at least one associated desired value,
   • wherein the comparison by the device RG is made by whether said measured value is less than the set value or greater than the setpoint or optionally equal to the setpoint, where equal means that the measured value lies within a tolerance band around the setpoint and all values within this tolerance range are not considered to be larger or smaller,
   • where at least one of the measured values
     • one of the output currents I ₃ , I ₄ , I ₈ or
     • one of the output voltages U ₃ , U ₄ , U ₈ or
     • one of the output powers P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₈ or
     • the sum of all or part of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ or
     • the sum of all or part of the output powers P ₃ + P ₄ , P ₃ + P ₄ + P ₈ or
     • the supplied from the power source 7 available operating voltage U _b or
     • the temperature T of the control circuit 10 or
     • the temperature T of a part of the control circuit 10 or
     • the temperature T in the vicinity of the control circuit 10 or
     • the temperature T in the vicinity of at least one consumer 11 or
     • the temperature T in the vicinity of at least one external resistor R3, R4, R8 or
     • the temperature T in a coolant or a cooling medium in the vicinity of a resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ or
     • a cached value of these values or
     • a quantity derived from these values and / or their cached values
     is.
9. 9. Device according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 8, wherein
   • at least one distribution parameter V _p
     • one of the output currents I ₃ , I ₄ , I ₈ or
     • one of the output voltages U ₃ , U ₄ , U ₈ or
     • one of the output powers P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₈ or
     • the sum of all or part of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ or
     • the sum of all or part of the output powers P ₃ + P ₄ , P ₃ + P ₄ + P ₈ or
     • the operating voltage U _{b of} the control circuit 10 or
     • the temperature T of the control circuit 10 or
     • the temperature T of a part of the control circuit 10 or
     • the temperature T in the vicinity of the control circuit 10 or
     • the temperature T in the vicinity of at least one consumer 11 or
     • the temperature T in the vicinity of at least one external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ or
     • the temperature T in a coolant or a cooling medium in the vicinity of a resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ or
     • a cached value of the above values or
     • a quantity derived from the above values or
     • a quantity derived from the cached values of the above values
     is.
10. 10. Device according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 9, wherein
    • the sum of at least two output currents I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ of
      • at least one of the output voltages U ₃ , U ₄ , U ₈ and / or
      • at least one of the output powers P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₅ and / or
      • the sum of all or part of the output powers P ₃ + P ₄ , P ₃ + P ₄ + P ₈ and / or
      • the provided by the power source 7 available operating voltage U _b and / or
      • the temperature T of the control circuit 10 and / or
      • the temperature T of a part of the control circuit 10 and / or
      • the temperature T in the vicinity of the control circuit 10 and / or
      • the temperature T in the vicinity of at least one consumer 11 and / or
      • the temperature T in the vicinity of at least one external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ and / or
      • the temperature T in a coolant or a cooling medium in the vicinity of a resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ and / or
      • one between the stored value of these values and / or
      • a derived from the above values and / or size
      • a quantity derived from the cached values of the above values
      depends.
11. 11. The device according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 10 and after paragraph 8, wherein
    • at least one of said components FD of the number 8 has the function of an error monitoring and outputs at least one error signal S _stat or outputs on request,
    • the error signal S _stat can signal an error.
12. 12. The device according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 11 and after paragraph 11, wherein
    • at least one of said components FD of claim 11 can be concatenated with the error signal S _{stat_ext} another device _according to the invention or another device not according to the invention, so that the device outputs the error signal S _{stat_ext} the other device as an error by means of the error signal Sstat.
13. 13. The device according to item 12, wherein the chaining is done by a wired-or-link.
14. 14. The device according to one or more of the numerals 11 to 13, wherein at least one of the detected error is an "open error" or a short circuit.
15. 15. The device according to paragraph 14, wherein
    • an "open error" is detected if at least one output current I ₃ , I _{4 is} less than 10% or 20% or 30% or 40% or 50% of a target or expected value, or
    • a short circuit is detected when the output voltage U ₃ , U ₄ , U ₈ at least one of the outputs 3, 4 of the control circuit 10 is smaller than a desired value.
16. 16. The device according to item 15, wherein
    • a short circuit is detected when at least one output voltage U ₃ , U ₄ , U ₈ at least one of the outputs 3, 4 of the control circuit 10 is less than 0.5V or 0.1V or 1.5V, and
    • at least one of the consumers is an LED or an interconnection of LEDs and
    • one of the outputs 3, 4, 8 of the control circuit 10 is connected directly to a first terminal 5 of the load 11.
17. 17. The device according to one or more of the numerals 11 to 16, wherein in the case of a fault, the power supply of at least one consumer is reduced or adjusted in the form of the votes by the control circuit to this energy.
18. 18. The device according to one or more of the numbers 11 to 17, wherein a self-diagnosis in the form of error detection by at least one component FD at least for a possible error only at certain times and not continuously.
19. 19. The device according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 18, wherein
    • at least one consumer 11
      • an LED or
      • at least partially a series circuit of LEDs 11, 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 or
      • at least partially a parallel connection of LEDs.
20. 20. Device according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 19, wherein
    • at least one output current I ₄ , I _{8 of} an output 4, 8 of the control circuit 10 depends on the operating voltage U _b , wherein also operating voltage ranges D are included, in which no more correct function takes place, and
    • this output current I ₄ , I ₄ is constant in at least one operating voltage range C, C1, C2.
21. 21. Device according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 20, wherein
    • at least one current sum I ₃ + I ₄ of at least two output currents I ₄ , I _{3 of} two associated outputs 3, 4 of the control circuit 10 depends on the operating voltage U _b , wherein also operating voltage ranges D are included, in which no more correct function takes place, and
    • this current sum I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ and / or the consumer power loss P _LED in at least one operating voltage range B, C, C1, C2 is constant and
    • at least one of the currents I ₄ in at least one of the voltage range B is not constant in which the current sum I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ and / or the consumer power loss P _{LED is} constant.
22. 22. Device for the regulated supply of at least two consumers 11_1, 11_2 with electrical energy,
    • wherein the device comprises at least two control circuits 10_1, 10_2 according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 21 and
    • wherein at least a portion of these at least two control circuits 10_1, 10_2 each supplied to at least one of the consumers 11_1, 11_2 with electrical energy and
    • wherein this respective consumer 11_1, 11_2 is not powered by one of the other control circuits 10_1, 10_2 also with energy.
23. 23. The device according to item 22, wherein the reference _currents I _{ref_ext} for the current sources of at least two of the control circuits 10_1, 10_2 of the device can be set separately by an external reference signal or by programming.
24. 24. Device comprising at least two or three subdevices 10_1, 10_2, 10_3 according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 23
    • each subdevice supplies one LED chain 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 or each other interconnection of light-generating components with electrical energy and
    • wherein the LED chains 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 or other interconnections of light-generating components jointly illuminate at least one spatial area and
    • wherein the LED chains 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 or other interconnections of light-generating components each radiate a different color or centroid wavelength and
    • wherein the device comprises at least one color sensor MF and
    • wherein at least this color sensor MF at least one measured value for the color of at least a portion of the backscattered from the illuminated area light and / or the light of the LED chains or the other said light-generating components supplies and
    • wherein the respective summation currents I ₃ + I _{4 of} the respective subdevices are set as a function of the at least one measured value of the color sensor MF and at least one associated desired value.
25. 25. Device according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 24
    • wherein at least one external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ , R _{4_1} , R _{4_ 2} , R _{4_3 is mounted} at a spatial distance from the control _circuit 10 or thermally otherwise isolated,
    • so that upon reaching the maximum operating temperature T _{R of} the respective external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ , R _{4_1} , R _{4_2} , R _{4_3,} the temperature of the control _circuit 10 by not more than 10 ° C or not more than 20 ° C or not more than 40 ° C or not more than 80 ° C is increased.
26. 26. Device according to one or more of the numbers 1 to 25, wherein at least one external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ , R _{4_1} , R _{4_2} , R _{4_3} in at least one specification-compliant operating state of the control _circuit 10, a temperature of T _{R is} greater than 150 ° C or greater than 200 ° C or greater than 250 ° C or greater than 350 ° C or greater than 450 ° C reached.
27. 27. Control circuit 10 for use in a device in one or more of the numbers 1 to 26
    • wherein the control circuit comprises at least two current sources IS3, IS4, IS8 and
    • the sum of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ at the outputs 3, 4, 8 of the control circuit 10 a setpoint I _{sum sum} current I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ corresponds and
    • the current distribution distribution of the sum of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ to the output currents I ₃ , I ₄ , I _{8 of} the outputs 3, 4, 8 of the control circuit 10 of at least one control parameter, ie a distribution parameter V _p , which is determined in the control circuit 10 or is specified from the outside via an analog or digital interface ST or another signal PWM.
28. 28. A method for the regulated supply of a consumer 11 with electrical energy by a control circuit 10, wherein
    • the control circuit 10 has at least four terminals 1, 2, 3, 4, 8,
    • the consumer 11 has at least two supply connections 5, 6,
    • the control circuit 10 is supplied with electrical energy via at least two of its terminals 1, 2 from a regulated or unregulated energy source 7,
    • at least one output 3, 4, 8 of the control circuit 10 via an external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R _{8 is} electrically connected to at least one first terminal 5 of the load 11,
    • another output 3, 4, 8 of the control circuit 10 is electrically connected via an external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ or directly to said first terminal 5 of the load 11,
    • the consumer 11 is electrically connected to at least one further second connection 6 with the energy source 7 or a further connection 2 of the control circuit 10,
    • in the presence of at least two external resistors R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ these have different values,
    • the sum of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ at the outputs 3, 4, 8 of the control circuit 10 a setpoint I _{sum sum} current I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ corresponds and
    • the current distribution distribution of the sum of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ to the output currents I ₃ , I ₄ , I _{8 of} the outputs 3, 4, 8 of the control circuit 10 of at least one control parameter, ie a distribution parameter V _p , which is determined in the control circuit 10 or is specified from the outside via an analog or digital interface ST or another signal PWM.
29. 29. The method according to item 24, wherein the control is carried out with the aid of at least two real power sources with finite internal resistances which supply the output currents I ₃ , I ₄ , I ₈ .
30. 30. The method according to item 24 or 29, wherein at least temporarily at least one output current I ₃ , I ₄ , I _{8 is} measured.
31. 31. The method according to one or more of the numerals 24 to 30, wherein at least one output voltage U ₃ , U ₄ , U ₈ at least temporarily at one of the outputs 3, 4, 8 of the control circuit 10 is measured.
32. 32. The method according to one or more of the numerals 24 to 31, wherein at least one supply voltage U _{b of} a control circuit 10 is measured.
33. 33. The method according to one or more of the numbers 24 to 32, wherein at least one output power P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₈ at least temporarily measured at one of the outputs 3, 4, 8 of the control circuit 10.
34. 34. The method according to one or more of the numbers 24 to 33, wherein
    • at least one temperature T at least temporarily
      • in the control circuit 10 itself or
      • in parts of the control circuit 10 or
      • near the control circuit 10 or
      • near at least one consumer 11 or
      • near an external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ or
      • in a coolant or a cooling medium in the vicinity of a resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈
      is measured.
35. 35. Procedure according to one or more of paragraphs 30 to 34
    • wherein at least one of the measured values or at least one of the cached values or at least one of these derived values (said values) is compared with at least one desired value,
    • wherein the comparison is made by determining whether said value is less than the target value or greater than the target value or optionally equal to the setpoint value, where equal means that said value lies within a tolerance band around the setpoint value and a said value lying within this tolerance band is not rated as greater or less in the context of said comparison,
    • where at least one of said values
      • one of the output currents I ₃ , I ₄ , I ₈ or
      • one of the output voltages U ₃ , U ₄ , U ₈ or
      • one of the output powers P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₈ or
      • the sum of all or part of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ or
      • the sum of all or part of the output powers P ₃ + P ₄ , P ₃ + P ₄ + P ₈ or
      • the supplied from the power source 7 available operating voltage U _b or
      • the temperature T of the control circuit 10 or
      • the temperature T of a part of the control circuit 10 or
      • the temperature T in the vicinity of the control circuit 10 or
      • the temperature T in the vicinity of at least one consumer 11 or
      • the temperature T in the vicinity of at least one external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ or
      • the temperature T in a coolant or a cooling medium in the vicinity of a resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ or
      • a cached value of these values or
      • a quantity derived from these values and / or their cached values
      is.
36. 36. The method according to one or more of items 24 to 35, wherein
    • at least one distribution parameter V _p
      • one of the output currents I ₃ , I ₄ , I ₈ or
      • one of the output voltages U ₃ , U ₄ , U ₈ or
      • one of the output powers P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₈ or
      • the sum of all or part of the output currents I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ or
      • the sum of all or part of the output powers P ₃ + P ₄ , P ₃ + P ₄ + P ₈ or
      • the supplied from the power source 7 available operating voltage U _b or
      • the temperature T of the control circuit 10 or
      • the temperature T of a part of the control circuit 10 or
      • the temperature T in the vicinity of the control circuit 10 or
      • the temperature T in the vicinity of at least one consumer 11 or
      • the temperature T in the vicinity of at least one external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ or
      • the temperature T in a coolant or a cooling medium in the vicinity of a resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ or
      • between stored value of the above values or
      • a quantity derived from these above values or
      • a quantity derived from cached values of the above values
      is.
37. 37. The method according to one or more of the numbers 24 to 36, wherein
    • the sum of at least two output currents I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ as a function of
      • at least one of the output voltages U ₃ , U ₄ , U ₈ and / or
      • at least one of the output powers P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₈ and / or
      • the sum of all or part of the output powers P ₃ + P ₄ , P ₃ + P ₄ + P ₈ and / or
      • the provided by the power source 7 available operating voltage U _b and / or
      • the temperature T of the control circuit 10 and / or
      • the temperature T of a part of the control circuit 10 and / or
      • the temperature T in the vicinity of the control circuit 10 and / or
      • the temperature T in the vicinity of at least one consumer 11 and / or
      • the temperature in the vicinity of at least one external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ and / or
      • the temperature T in a coolant or a cooling medium in the vicinity of a resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ and / or
      • a cached value of these values and / or
      • a derived from the above values and / or size
      • one of their cached size derived from the above values
      is regulated.
38. 38. The procedure of one or more of paragraphs 24 to 37 and paragraph 35, where:
    • by comparing a measured value with a setpoint according to point 35 an error monitoring and / or fault detection is performed and
    • wherein at least one error signal S _{stat is} generated, which is used to signal an error when it is detected by said comparison.
39. 39. The method of one or more of paragraphs 24 to 38 and paragraph 38, where:
    • at least one external error signal S _{stat_ext is} received and
    • Even then, an error signal S _stat , which is used to signal an error is generated, ie an error is signaled if at least one received external error signal S _{stat_ext} signals another error.
40. 40. The method of one or more of items 38 to 39, wherein at least one of the detected faults is an open fault or a short circuit.
41. 41. The procedure under paragraph 40, in which
    • an "open error" is detected if at least one measured output current I ₃ , I ₄ , I _{8 is} less than 10% or 20% or 30% or 40% or 50% of a target or expected value, or
    • a short circuit is detected when at least one measured output voltage U ₃ , U ₄ , U _{8 is} less than a setpoint.
42. 42. The method according to item 41, wherein a short circuit is detected when at least one output voltage U ₃ , U ₄ , U _{8 is} less than 0.5V or 0.1V or 1.5V
43. 43. The method according to one or more of the numbers 38 to 42, wherein in the event of a fault, the power supply of at least one consumer is reduced or adjusted in the form of the energy delivered by the control circuit to this.
44. 44. The method according to one or more of the numbers 38 to 43, wherein a self-diagnosis in the form of an error detection takes place at least for a possible error only at certain times and not continuously.
45. 45. The method according to one or more of the numbers 24 to 44, wherein at least one output current I _{4 is} constantly regulated in at least one operating voltage range C.
46. 46. The method according to one or more of the numbers 24 to 45, wherein
    • at least one current sum I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ of at least two output currents I ₄ , I ₃ , I _{8 is} kept constant in at least one operating voltage range B, C, C1, C2 and
    • at least one of the currents I ₄ is not controlled constant in at least one of the operating voltage range B in which the said current sum is held constant at least two output currents I _4, I _3, I ₈ I ₃ + I _4, I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ .
    • the latter operating voltage range B being part of or equal to the first operating voltage range B, C, C1, C2.
47. 47. A method for the regulated supply of at least two consumers 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 with electrical energy, wherein at least a part of these consumers 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 each by means of a method according to one or more of the numerals 24 to 46 is supplied with electrical energy.
48. 48. Method according to No. 47, wherein at least two output _currents I ₃ , I ₄ , I _{8 are set} by an external reference signal I _{ref_ext_1} , I _{ref_ext_2} , I _{ref_ext_3} or by programming.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS reference numeral description 1 Supply voltage connection of the control circuit 10 according to the invention 2 Ground connection of the control circuit 10 according to the invention (reference potential) 3 First output of the control circuit 10 3_1 First output of the control circuit 10_1 for red 3_2 First output of the control circuit 10_2 for green 3_3 First output of the control circuit 10_3 for blue 4 Second output of the control circuit 10 4_1 Second output of the control circuit 10_1 for red 4_2 Second output of the control circuit 10_2 for green 4_3 Second output of the control circuit 10_3 for blue 5 First connection of the consumer 11 5_1 First connection of the red LED chain 11_1 5_2 First connection of the green LED chain 11_2 5_3 First connection of the blue LED chain 11_3 6 Second connection of the consumer 11 6_1 Second connection of the red LED chain 11_1 6_2 Second connection of the green LED chain 11_2 6_3 Second connection of the blue LED chain 11_3 7 energy 8th Third output of the control circuit 10 9 Fourth output of the control circuit 10 10 control circuit 10_1 Control circuit of the red LED chain 11_1 10_2 Control circuit of the green LED chain 11_2 10_3 Control circuit of the blue LED chain 11_3 11 Consumer. The consumer can also be a network of consumers. In particular, it may be an LED or a series or parallel connection of LEDs. 11_1 Red LED chain as consumer 11 11_2 Green LED chain as consumer 11 11_3 Blue LED chain as consumer 11 12 Ohmic load 13 Inductive load 14 Freewheeling diode for the inductive load 13 15 Overvoltage protection diode for the inductive load 13 16 Capacitive load A First operating voltage range ADC Analog-to-Digital Converter B Second operating voltage range C Third operating voltage range C1 First half of the third operating voltage range in which the power is constant at one of the external resistors R ₄ , R ₈ . C2 Second half of the third operating voltage range, in which at both external resistors R ₄ , R _8, the power is constant. CTR Controller for controlling the control circuit 10 D Fourth operating voltage range FD Error detection. The error detection receives measured values from the various measuring instruments and the error signals S _{stat_ext of} the external signalizers. From this, the error detection determines the state of the system. When pre-clearing a fault, it is detected and the system is brought to a safer operating state. The error detection prevails against other controllers and specifications in the rule. The error detection signals to the outside a faulty state via the error signal S _stat . FR Color control The color control receives from at least one color sensor MF at least one measured value and generates therefrom set values for the various control circuits 10_1, 10_2, 10_3 I ₃ Output current of the first output 3 of the control circuit 10th I ₄ Output current of the second output 4 of the control circuit 10th I ₈ Output current of the third output 8 of the control circuit 10th (I ₃ + I ₄ ) Sum of the output currents and that of the output current I _{4 of} the second output 4 and the output current I _{3 of} the first output third (I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ ) Sum of the output currents of the output current I _{8 of} the third output 8 and the output current I _{4 of} the second output 4 and the output current I _{3 of} the first output 3. This current sum is used in three current sources IS ₃ , IS ₄ , IS ₈ . If there are more power sources, the sum will be extended accordingly. INTREF Internal references I _{ref_int} Internal reference current for the specification of the current sum I ₃ + I ₄ , I ₃ + I ₄ + I ₈ . IS ₃ First regulated power source that supplies the current I ₃ . IS ₄ Second regulated current source, which supplies the current I ₄ . IS ₈ Third regulated power source that supplies the current I ₈ . I _sum Target value for the total current I ₃ + I _4, I ₃ + I ₄ + I _8. I _{ref_ext} External reference current LED led MF Color sensor MI ₃ First current measuring device for the measurement of the current I ₃ MI ₄ Second current measuring device for the measurement of the current I ₄ MI ₈ Third current measuring device for the measurement of the current I ₈ MU ₃ First voltage measuring device for measuring the voltage between the first output 3 of the control circuit 10 and the ground terminal 2 of the control circuit 10 MU ₄ Second voltage measuring device for measuring the voltage between the second output 4 of the control circuit 10 and the ground terminal 2 of the control circuit 10 MU ₈ Third voltage measuring device for measuring the voltage between the third output 8 of the control circuit 10 and the ground terminal 2 of the control circuit 10th MP ₃ First power measuring device for the measurement of the power output at the gate between the first output 3 of the control circuit 10 and the ground terminal 2 of the control circuit 10th MP ₄ Second power measuring device for measuring the power output at the gate between the second output 4 of the control circuit 10 and the ground terminal 2 of the control circuit 10th MP ₈ Third power measuring device for measuring the power output at the gate between the third output 8 of the control circuit 10 and the ground terminal 2 of the control circuit 10th MT Temperature measuring device, the temperature for example in the control circuit 10 itself and / or in parts of the control circuit 10 and / or in the vicinity of the control circuit 10 and / or in the vicinity of at least one consumer 11 and / or in the vicinity of an external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₈ measures. MU _b Operating voltage measuring device for measuring the operating voltage U _b P ₃ Power that is output by the control circuit 10 via the first output 3. P ₄ Power that is delivered through the control circuit 10 via the second output 4. P ₈ Power that is output by the control circuit 10 via the third output 8. P ₃ + P ₄ Sum of the output powers of the first output P ₃ and the second output P ₄ P ₃ + P ₄ + P ₈ Sum of the output powers of the first output P ₃ and the second output P ₄ and the third output P ₈ P ₁₀ Power loss in the control circuit 10 P _LED Power loss of the LEDs (of the consumer 11), consumer power loss P _R4 Power loss of the second external resistor R ₄ P _R8 Power loss of the third external resistor R ₈ PWM Pulse Width Modulation R ₃ First external resistance R ₄ Second external resistance R _{4_1} Second external resistance of the red LED chain 11_1 R _{4_2} Second external resistance of green LED chain 11_2 R _{4_3} Second external resistance of blue LED chain 11_3 R ₈ Third external resistance RefG Reference _generation from the external reference _currents I _{ref_ext_1} , I _{ref_ext_2} , I _{ref_ext_3} , the currents are set via the resistors R _{ref_1} , R _{ref_2} , R _{ref_3} . The currents can be used for basic adjustment of the subdevices 10_1, 10_2, 10_3 by means of the block RefG. RG regulator R _ref reference resistor S _stat error signal S _{stat_ext} External error signal (an input signal of the control circuit 10) ST Data Interface SUP Supplying the control circuit 10 from the operating voltage supply U _b T Temperature. This is a sign of one or more of the following temperatures: the temperature T of the control circuit 10th the temperature of a part of the control circuit 10th the temperature in the vicinity of the control circuit 10th the temperature near a consumer 11 the temperature near a resistor R ₃ , R ₄ T _R Temperature of an external resistor R ₃ , R ₄ , R _{4_3} , R _{4_ 2} , R _{4_1} , R ₈ U ₃ First output voltage, voltage between first output 3 and ground connection 2 U ₄ Second output voltage, voltage between second output 4 and ground connection 2 U ₈ Third output voltage, voltage between third output 8 and ground connection 2 U _b Operating voltage. This is the voltage between the supply voltage terminal 1 of the control circuit 10 and the ground terminal 2 of the control circuit. The operating voltage is provided by the power supply 7. V _p distribution parameters

Claims (15)

1. An apparatus for supplying at least one consumer with electrical energy or for providing electrical power for at least one consumer from an on-board motor vehicle electrical system, comprising

   - a control circuit (10) designed as an IC and having an input (1) by means of which electrical energy can be supplied to the control circuit (10) from the on-board motor vehicle electrical system, and having at least a first output (3) and a second output (4), wherein a consumer (11) can be powered via its first connector with electrical energy from the on-board motor vehicle electrical system by the control circuit (10) via each of said two outputs (3, 4), and respectively the control circuit (10) provides electrical power for a consumer (11) in that the first output (3) of the control circuit (10) is directly connected to the individual consumer (11) and the second output (4) of the control circuit (10) is connected to the same individual consumer (11) via an external resistor,

   - at least one external resistor (R₃, R₄, R₈) arranged outside the IC, for emitting possible lost electrical power outside the IC, wherein firstly the external resistor (R₃, R₄, R₈) is connected to the second output (4) of the control circuit (10), and secondly the consumer (11) can be connected to the external resistor (R₃, R₄, R₈),

   - wherein the desired value for the electrical power of the consumer (11), which electrical power can be controlled by the control circuit (10), can be prespecified, and

   - wherein the dividing of the electrical energy for the consumer (11) and respectively of the electrical power to be provided for said consumer between the at least two outputs (R₃, R₄) of the control circuit (10) can be controlled by said control circuit depending on at least one division parameter (V_p), which division parameter can be supplied to the control circuit (10) or be determined in the control circuit (10).
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the second output (3, 4) and/or at least one further output (3, 4) of the control circuit (10) has connected to it an external resistor (R₃, R₄, R₈) or respectively a further external resistor (R₃, R₄, R₈), said resistor or resistors being adapted for connection of the consumer thereto, the values of the external resistors (R₃, R₄, R₈) being equal or unequal and/or equal in groups or unequal from group to group.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control circuit (10) comprises, for each output (3, 4), a power provision and measurement module comprising a controllable current and/or voltage source and a measurement unit, said measurement unit detecting one or a plurality of parameters representing at least one or a plurality of the electrical values specified hereunder:

   - output currents, output voltages and output powers at the outputs (3, 4) of the control circuit (10) and

   - supply voltage and supply current of the control circuit (10).
4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electric power of the consumer (11) that is to be controlled can be predefined as a desired sum current to which the sum of the output currents flowing via the outputs (3, 4) can be controlled.
5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a unit (T) for at least temporarily detecting a temperature, namely of at least one element of the group of the elements specified hereunder:

   - the control circuit (10) or a part of the control circuit (10) or the vicinity of the control circuit (10),

   - the consumer (11) or the vicinity of the consumer (11),

   - at least one of the external resistors (R₃, R₄, R₈) or the vicinity of at least one of the external resistors (R₃, R₄, R₈) and

   - a coolant for at least one of the external resistors (R₃, R₄, R₈).
6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said at least one of the division parameter (V_p) is one of the magnitudes specified hereunder and/or is based on at least one of the magnitudes specified hereunder:

   - at least one of the output currents (I₃, I₄, I₈), one of the output voltages (U₃, U₄, U₈), one of the output powers (P₃, P₄, P₈),

   - the sum of at least two output currents (E₃, E₄, E₈), output voltages (U₃, U₄, U₈), output powers (P₃, P₄, P₈),

   - the operating voltage (U_b) of the control circuit (10),

   - the temperature (T) of the control circuit (10), a part of the control circuit (10) or the vicinity of the control circuit (10),

   - the temperature (T) of a consumer (11) or a part of the consumer (11) or the vicinity of the consumer (11),

   - the temperature (T) of at least one external resistor (R₃, R₄, R₈) or the vicinity of at least one of the external resistors (R₃, R₄, R₈),

   - the temperature (T) of a cooling medium for at least one of the external resistors (R₃, R₄, R₈),

   - a temporarily stored value of at least one of the above specified magnitudes,

   - a value derived from at least one of the above specified magnitudes, particularly temporally derived, and

   - a value derived from intermediate storage of at least one of the above specified magnitudes, particularly temporally derived.
7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the magnitude of the controlled power to be made available to the consumer (11) by the control circuit (10) is dependent on one of the magnitudes specified hereunder:

   - at least one of the output currents (I₃, I₄, I₈), one of the output voltages (U₃, U₄, U₈), one of the output powers (P₃, P₄, P₈),

   - the sum of at least two output currents (E₃, E₄, E₈), output voltages (U₃, U₄, U₈), output powers (P₃, P₄, P₈),

   - the operating voltage (U_b) of the control circuit (10),

   - the temperature (T) of the control circuit (10), a part of the control circuit (10) or the vicinity of the control circuit (10),

   - the temperature (T) of a consumer (11) or a part of the consumer (11) or the vicinity of the consumer (11),

   - the temperature (T) of at least one external resistor (R₃, R₄, R₈) or the vicinity of at least one of the external resistors (R₃, R₄, R₈),

   - the temperature (T) of a cooling medium for at least one of the external resistors (R₃, R₄, R₈),

   - a temporarily stored value of at least one of the above specified magnitudes,

   - a value derived from at least one of the above specified magnitudes, particularly temporally derived, and

   - a value derived from intermediate storage of at least one of the above specified magnitudes, particularly temporally derived.
8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one component (RG) is provided for comparing at least one measurement value, a temporarily stored measurement value or a value derived from one of said measurement values to at least one desired value under the aspect of whether said measurement value or said derived value is within or outside a predefinable tolerance range around the desired value, wherein said at least one measurement value or derived value is or is based on one of the magnitudes specified hereunder:

   - at least one of the output currents (I₃, I₄, I₈), one of the output voltages (U₃, U₄, U₈), one of the output powers (P₃, P₄, P₈),

   - the sum of at least two output currents (E₃, E₄, E₈), output voltages (U₃, U₄, U₈), output powers (P₃, P₄, P₈),

   - the operating voltage (U_b) of the control circuit (10),

   - the temperature (T) of the control circuit (10), a part of the control circuit (10) or the vicinity of the control circuit (10),

   - the temperature (T) of a consumer (11) or a part of the consumer (11) or the vicinity of the consumer (11),

   - the temperature (T) of at least one external resistor (R₃, R₄, R₈) or the vicinity of at least one of the external resistors (R₃, R₄, R₈),

   - the temperature (T) of a cooling medium for at least one of the external resistors (R₃, R₄, R₈),

   - a temporarily stored value of at least one of the above specified magnitudes,

   - a value derived from at least one of the above specified magnitudes, particularly temporally derived, and

   - a value derived from intermediate storage of at least one of the above specified magnitudes, particularly temporally derived.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of said components is an error monitoring component (FD) having the function of error monitoring, said error monitoring component (FD) outputting at least one error signal (S_stat) signaling an error, or outputting said error signal upon request, wherein the error can be a short circuit or a line or connection interruption.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that said at least one error monitoring component (FD) is coupled to an error monitoring component (FD) of another apparatus for supplying at least one consumer with electric energy or power and/or to another apparatus having a different function, so as to output an error signal (S_{stat_ext}) of at least one of said apparatuses as an error signal (S_stat).
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 to 10, characterized in that the magnitude of the output current (I₄, I₈) of at least one of the outputs (3, 4) of the control circuit (10) is dependent on an operating voltage (U_b) at the input (1) of the control circuit (10), and that the output current (I₄, I₈) is constant in at least one range (C, C1, C2) of the operating voltage (U_b).
12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the magnitude of the sum current (I₃+I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈) from the output currents (I₃, I₄, I₈) of at least two outputs (3, 4) of the control circuit (10) is dependent on an operating voltage (U_b) at the input (1) of the control circuit (10) and that the sum current (I₃+I₄, I₃+I₄+I₈) and/or the power loss (P_LED) of the at least one consumer (11) is constant in at least one range (B, C, C1, C2) of the operating voltage (U_b), wherein, in at least one of said ranges of the operating voltage (U_b), at least one of the output currents (I₃, I₄, I₈) is not constant.
13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one of the external resistors (R₃, R₄, R₈) is thermally decoupled from the control circuit (10) in such a manner that the temperature of the control circuit (10) and/or at least of a part of the control circuit (10) does not rise by more than 80°C, 40°C, 20°C and 10°C respectively when said at least one external resistor (R₃, R₄, R₈) reaches its maximum allowable operating temperature (T_R).
14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, in at least one of the allowable operating states of the control circuit (10), at least one of the external resistors (R₃, R₄, R₈) reaches, as its allowable operating temperature, a temperature (T_R) larger than 150°C, 200°C, 250°C, 350°C and 450°C respectively.
15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the at least one consumer (11) is an LED and/or an array of LEDs at least partially connected in series, and/or an array of LEDs at least partially connected in parallel, or that the at least one consumer comprises an optionally parasitic, ohmic and/or inductive and/or capacitive load (12, 13, 16) as found in electrical/electronic devices/components in the automotive sector and/or of daily life e.g. for residential and/or industrial buildings, accessories, transport.

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